Even though everyone made it out of "Supernatural" Season 10 alive last year -- except for Death of course -- the new direction the show will be taking depends on how fast Sammy and Dean can pull Castiel out of Rowena's spell.

That, and The Darkness.

According to TVLine, which debuted a series of exclusive photographs from the upcoming season, the Darkness being the big-bad for the season might just be an understatement.

The premiere episode, which appears to be taking place in a hospital, will open directly up on what it takes to get a young family out of the place alive. Although it is unclear at this moment who or what is trying to attack them, one thing that is evident is that Sammy takes a beating.

When fans last saw Castiel, his bloody eyes and rabid hunger to inflict pain was enough to send Crowley running for the hills. The King of Hell himself has no idea what he is going to do, considering the Darkness is ancient to even his own congregation. This leads him off track and once again, likely to team up with the Winchesters as a super-team.

"Castiel, first and foremost, has to find a way out of this spell that Rowena has cast on him," executive producer Jeremy Carver told TVLine. "That's not as easy as it may sound. Being under the influence of this spell, it's going to lead him to some pretty uncomfortable situations."

As a matter of fact, Castiel will be spending at least half of the season trying to do just that, so don't expect him back in full force right away.

In regards to how Crowley is going to fit into this equation, he is "very much trying to figure out how he is going to navigate this new world where The Darkness threatens just about everything," Carver said.

"Supernatural" returns to the CW on Oct. 7.