Another angel is set to reappear in Supernatural and this time it’s the turn of Zachariah, who will now be portrayed by actor Chad Rook. In its season 12 finale, Supernatural introduced the existence of a parallel “apocalypse” dimension courtesy of Lucifer’s son, Jack, whose untamed power was enough to rip a hole between the two worlds. This setup has allowed for the return of several figures that are currently deceased in the primary timeline such as fan-favorite Bobby Singer – whose alternate incarnation briefly appeared to help the Winchesters fight Lucifer – and geeky prophet Kevin Tran, who still hasn’t managed to catch a break.

Unfortunately for Sam and Dean, it hasn’t all been emotional reunions and friendly faces, as this parallel world has been decimated by the warring forces of heaven and hell and the angels rule with an iron fist. Leading this holy charge is the parallel (and far nastier) version of the archangel Michael, whose ultimate intention is to invade Sam and Dean’s realm – a place that is in far healthier shape than his own war-torn world.

It now seems as if Michael may have some angelic backup in the form of Zachariah. In the prime world, Zachariah was portrayed by actor Kurt Fuller, and was eventually offed by none other than Dean Winchester himself. The parallel version of the character will be played by Chad Rook, the actor himself has confirmed on his Twitter page, while also promising “a whole lot more hell to be raised.”

Much like the DC TV shows that also populate The CW’s prime time lineup, Supernatural has developed an affinity for exploring alternate realities as of late. Actually, it’s nothing new to the series, with season 6’s “The French Mistake” remaining among my all-time favorite episodes, but the idea hasn’t been exploited to this degree until relatively recently.

Aside from “the Bad Place,” another realm that we’ve visited this season is that of “Apocalypse World,” which is pretty self-explanatory. But if you’re unfamiliar, the long and short of it is that it’s a place where Sam and Dean Winchester were never born, thus they were never able to prevent the end of the world.

So far, we’ve met alternate takes on Bobby Singer and Michael, both of which are a bit rougher than their counterparts on what we’ll call “Earth-1.” Well, in truth, this “new” Michael is far worse than the one we encountered in past seasons, now setting his sights on conquering the world the Winchesters call home.

With that, the series has found Apocalypse World’s version of Zachariah, who’ll be played by Chad Rook. Having portrayed a couple other characters on the series in the past, it remains to be seen if one of Rook’s former selves will serve as a vessel for this other Zachariah, or if it’s a new gig entirely.

Previously, “our” Zachariah was played by Kurt Fuller, and that iteration was not a pleasant fellow, to say the least. And while one would expect for his doppelganger to be even more severe, it can’t be ruled out that he’ll do a complete 180 by being a keen ally to Sam and Dean. Either way, Rook has promised that there is “a whole lot more hell to be raised” over on Twitter.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions

The 2009 song by In Fear and Faith, The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions is a proverb or aphorism. An alternative form is "Hell is full of good meanings, but heaven is full of good works".

Origin

The saying is thought to have originated with Saint Bernard of Clairvaux who wrote (c. 1150), "L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés ou désirs" (hell is full of good wishes or desires).[2] An earlier saying occurs in Virgil's Aeneid: "facilis descensus Averno (the descent to hell is easy)".[3]

Meaning

A common interpretation of the saying is that wrongdoings or evil actions are often masked by good intentions; or even that good intentions, when acted upon, may have unintended consequences. A simple example is the introduction of an invasive species, like the Asian carp, which has become a nuisance due to unexpected proliferation and behaviour.[4]

Another meaning of the phrase is that individuals may have the intention to undertake good actions but nevertheless fail to take action.[5][6] This inaction may be due to procrastination, laziness or other subversive vice.[7] As such, the saying is an admonishment that a good intention is meaningless unless followed through.[8]

Moral certainty can be used to justify the harm done by failing policies and actions. Those with good intentions believe their practices are good for the group; it is self-evident to them. They justify collateral damage in the belief they do a greater good. The Nazi concentration camps were created to hold so-called "racially undesirable elements" of German society. The Inquisition was established to eradicate heretics in religious states. The harm done is clearly seen, and acknowledged, but is written off as a 'price worth paying'.

On a personal level, taking a subjectively "good action" can land one in a horrific emotional and/or physical state of being, e.g., a soldier goes off to war to fight for the subjective good of their country and ends up with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Cast

Episode credited cast:

Jared Padalecki ... Sam Winchester
Jensen Ackles ... Dean Winchester
Misha Collins ... Castiel

Rest of cast:

Michael Jonsson ... Gog
Jim Beaver ... Bobby Singer
Alexander Calvert ... Jack Kline
Christian Keyes ... Michael
Cassidy Nugent ... Camp Girl
Chad Rook ... Zachariah
Samantha Smith ... Mary Winchester

Bobby Singer is back — back again.

“Supernatural” revealed that Bobby (Jim Beaver) was still alive in the apocalypse world at the end of the 12th season of the CW series. He was a gruffer, more militant version of the man the audience knew as a surrogate uncle to Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki), but he had the same “kick it in the a–” attitude that has been key to hunting.

“He’s sort of the leader of a bunch of refugees in this alternate world and a protector for them,” Beaver tells Variety.

And as Season 13 is soon to reveal, the apocalypse-world Bobby may still have a soft spot for Winchesters.

In the 14th episode of the season, titled “Good Intentions,” Bobby ends up an ally to Mary (Samantha Smith) and Jack (Alexander Calvert).

Ahead of Beaver’s return to “Supernatural,” he talks with Variety about the differences between the versions of the character, what it was like to return to the show in this new way — and what it was like being on set but not acting opposite his usual scene partners Ackles and Padalecki.

What do you think is important to know about this version of Bobby going into “Good Intentions”?

We get a hint of what his feelings were for the Mary who existed in his world that may be a little different from Bobby in the regular world because Bobby in the regular world didn’t know Mary. That’s interesting. It’s just sort of hinted at. And then we see a pretty strong reaction to Jack.

Jack does seem like the kind of being apocalypse-world Bobby would just kill, no questions asked. How much internal conflict do we see him go through to decide to help them?

Let’s just say that his first reaction is very close to what you just described. But even Bobby is capable of having his eyes opened, so I would say that things take a turn after they meet. Bobby’s first impulses don’t rule the day.

How is his help towards Mary and Jack different from how we’ve seen him help the Winchesters in the past?

First of all, it’s grudgingly. While Bobby, regardless of which world he’s in, is cautious to the point of suspicious, he’s maybe a little more suspicious in this situation. It takes a lot of convincing.

How important is it for you as an actor to come back to the show in this new way, rather than to constantly resurrect the regular version of Bobby and risk diluting the impact of his death?

I get a lot of communication from people who are seeing this show for the first time. Because the nature of how we are able to see television programs has changed so much since “Supernatural” has been on, it’s very easy to start from the beginning, audiences are constantly having the impact of Bobby’s death — or any other powerful moment on the show. That’s never going to be lost because somebody’s always going to be starting the show and working their way through it. So with that in mind, and the fact that I really, really, really, really love playing the character, I think it’s perfectly in tune to the nature of the show that Bobby return in any nature that they want to bring him back. Obviously if this were “Homeland” or “House of Cards” or “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” it would be not only ridiculous but impossible to keep bringing the character back. As a dramatist myself, I’m very aware of the value of the impact of the character’s death, but as far as I’m concerned, that ship has sailed with “Supernatural” because Bobby died in Season 7 and here we are six seasons later, and he’s been in every single one of them.

Is there freedom, though, in a new version where you’re not beholden to playing him the same way you have for 12 prior seasons?

Maybe I’m just not as optimistic or open-minded as I should be, but I tend to look at playing this Bobby as being filled with restrictions that I didn’t have as Bobby in the more familiar universe. But I’ve only played him in two episodes now, and only briefly in one of those, so it’s a little hard to say how it would feel in the long run. My own personal wish is to somehow have Bobby reunited with the boys and go on like before in some fashion, but how realistic that is, I don’t know. The biggest difference right now is really that I don’t get to work with Jared and Jensen, so just from an actor’s point of view, that’s a downside. But I do get to work with the crew, and I had a lovely, wonderful time working with Sam Smith, who I never really had a scene with before.

Where do these restrictions on this new Bobby come from?

This Bobby, for one thing — at least so far — isn’t as fun as real-world Bobby. And it’s because he doesn’t have Sam and Dean to bounce off of [and] he doesn’t have Rufus to bounce off of. So far, he’s a deadly serious man in a deadly serious world with very little room for lightheartedness or banter. Those were qualities I really enjoyed with Bobby — not that I don’t enjoy playing the tough heart — but one of the joys was always the banter with the boys. Without the relationship, and of course without having been there in the same universe, it’s a different piece of the character.

Do you think this Bobby would want to go to the other world, now that he knows it’s out there?

He says in this upcoming episode that he feels a large responsibility to the people there. This is just selfish Jim [but] I’d be delighted if they found a workaround for that. Frankly, I think anybody who exists in this horrible alternate universe would welcome the opportunity to be transported to one a little less bleak. But he does feel like he’s one of the few people where he lives who knows how to do what he does.

He’s the Dean and Sam of that world.

I think so. A combination of their strengths, all wrapped up in one incredibly handsome older man! So far in this world we haven’t seen anybody else who has taken on saving it as his task.

What has Apocalyptic World Bobby been up to since we last saw him?
Jim Beaver: Pretty much the same thing, roaming around a bleak countryside taking on angels and demons. This time around, we get to see a lot more of his world and the other people who populate it. There's not much to do in alternate universe land except defend your life or defend the people around you.

That sounds very bleak.
Beaver: There' s not a lot of turducken sandwiches.

Since we're gonna see a lot more of his world, what are you excited for people to learn about this bleak, dark place?
Beaver: I think the most interesting thing is that this Bobby is not just a lone hunter roaming around. He's actually, to a certain extent, the leader of a large group of people. There is a large camp of refugees that he feels responsible for. I don't think we've ever seen any version of Bobby in quite this position.

Are any of those people in the refugee camp someone we've met before?
I suppose it's possible. [However], I don't think anything like that happens in this upcoming episode.

In this episode, Apocalyptic World Bobby will become an ally for Jack and Mary (Samantha Smith). What can you tell me about that first interaction between the three?
Beaver: [Bobby had a relationship] with Mary of his world although she's long gone, and seeing Mary from our world in his world brings back a lot of memories. The episode touches on that a little bit. It's interesting and I think it leads some room for development down the line. And then, of course, this Mary has shown up with Jack — somebody who's a little too angelic for his tastes. So there's a real conflict that starts the moment he finds out just who Jack is.

With Bobby resting in the afterlife, how do you think he would feel upon learning that Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino) has been declared the new King of Heaven?
Beaver: It's always an iffy situation when you get a new landlord. Sometimes you find yourself yearning for the old ones. I wouldn't be surprised if that was Bobby's response. Although, it certainly seems in my mind to set up the possibility of revisiting the original Bobby because I can't imagine he isn't very opinionated on the subject.

We've seen Bobby come back before so what's to say he can't come back sometime down the road?
Beaver: Yeah, I think what they're probably setting up here is Apocalypse World Bobby meeting real-world, heaven-bound Bobby and just phase out those unattractive young men and it's the Bobby and Bobby Show.

What advice would you give Sam and Dean on co-parenting Jack alongside Castiel?
Beaver: Make sure he gets plenty to eat and lots of sleep. And don't let him play with the angel blades.

What are you most excited for people to see this week?
Beaver: We're going to get a glimpse of what Jack is capable of that may be beyond people's expectations and we'll get to see another side of this familiar/unfamiliar version of Bobby. There [are] some elements of his personality that come out that may be nice surprises for the audience. I think it ought to be a pretty unpredictable and exciting episode.

Are we going to see Apocalyptic World Bobby reunite with the Winchesters?
Beaver: I think that would be a very safe bet.

When Supernatural returns from its mid-season hiatus, it will bring Bobby Singer with it. Well, the Bobby Singer who exists in Apocalypse World, doesn’t know who Sam and Dean are, and has a thing for berets. Regardless, a day with any version of Bobby is a good one for Supernatural fans, so EW hopped on the phone with Jim Beaver to talk about returning to the beloved character in a new way and what to expect in the future.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Before the season 12 finale, what was your reaction when you got the call asking you to play a new, very different version of Bobby?
JIM BEAVER: I would’ve been delighted to go back and play Bobby as a ballet teacher. [Laughs] I love the character, I love how he has fit into the show over the last 12-13 years, and I also love being there with that group of people. It’s such a joyous experience every time for me. I won’t give it up easily. If they ask, I’m going to be available. But Bobby’s a bit different this time around, maybe not as humorous as real-world Bobby. But maybe it’s just because it’s a much bleaker place and the opportunities for wisecracks are maybe a little slim. But I think even under pressure, it’s possible to have the occasional good one-liner and I doubt Bobby’s sense of humor has been completely erased — not if I’m gonna play him.

Sam and Dean were such a big part of Bobby’s character, but Apocalypse World Bobby didn’t have that, which must be a big change for you as you play him.
One of the disappointments, if you can call it that, of playing this version of Bobby is that I don’t get to work with Jared [Padalecki] and Jensen [Ackles] or Misha [Collins] very much. I look forward to a day when maybe the boys and Castiel are on the same plane as this Bobby and maybe some of those feelings can develop in this Bobby. Or maybe some other emotional dynamic. I do miss going up there and working with the guys. I’ll be interested to see where this goes because most of Bobby’s revisits since his death in season 7 have suggested at least the possibility that this is the last you’ll see of him. This one doesn’t do that. This episode leaves it wide open for more Bobby. I’ll be interested to see how the character progresses if they return to him, and I hope that he’ll get to spend more time in the company of his boys … even if he doesn’t realize they’re his boys.

What do you think real world Bobby would think of this new Bobby? Would they get along?
Oh, yeah. I think you’ve just set up the spin-off: My Two Bobby’s. [Laughs] Although they’ve got differences because their worlds are very different and their influences over the last years have been different and the relationships have been different, they are still, at heart, the same guy with the same determination and ambitions for mankind. I think that both Bobbys are really hard-headed so I’m sure they’d bump heads. You’re making me really really want to see that show. [Laughs]

Me too! It might be exhausting for you, playing both leads.
Yeah, well, I’d get over it. I’m sure my accountant would like to see it too. [Laughs]

What is Apocalypse World Bobby up to when we catch up with him this time?
He’s VERY happy to see Mary because he had very strong feelings for the Mary of his world who didn’t survive. He sees Mary and Jack as new allies and of course he’s got a surprise ahead of him with Jack because Jack has unexpected qualities for Bobby. His heritage is a little suspect. So this episode will get into all of that.

Ep 1314 of #Supernatural
Editor: @JamesRPickel
Assistant Editor: @Shannon_Weiss
Composer: @jaygruska
Writer: @Merecuda
Director: @cappados
#GoodIntentions #SPNFamiIy

Still, just the fight choreography was impressive. Did you see Dean’s ultra quick reflexes rolling out of the way of that sword about to come down on him? Whoa.

A fan tweeted stunt coordinator Kirk Jacques and asked whether that was Jensen and if so how he was at doing that, and this was the response.

KirkJacques: – He’s pretty damn fast. And one of the most naturally talented fighters I’ve seen. He learns choreography super fast and is a joy to teach.