'Supernatural' season 12 return date news: Extended trailer released; Winchesters to become fugitives in midseason premiere?

After years of skirting the law, the law has finally caught up with the Winchesters. And now that they are regarded as full-fledged criminals and locked up in a high-security prison, does the American government pose a much bigger threat to brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) than anything they have ever had to face?

"The people that have them think they're real, legitimate criminals, albeit kind of terrorists more than your common thief or anything like that," executive producer Andrew Dabb said in an interview with TV Line.

The situation puts the Winchesters in quite a predicament as they would be hard-pressed in convincing their captors of the supernatural elements involved in what looked to be an attempt on the life of the President of the United States. While they have previously been able to turn law enforcers to their side after the monsters themselves vouched for their stories, they wouldn't be able to do so now that Lucifer has supposedly been sent back to his cage.

"We'll see how Sam and Dean act in that period of isolation, but also how the rest of the world reacts," Dabb added.

Indeed, it is at times like this that the Winchesters can rely the most on their alliances, especially on Castiel (Misha Collins) and their mother, Mary (Samantha Smith), who will team up to search for them. Dabb also mentioned that there will be other players as well, who may either aid or hinder their escape. Will the British Men of Letters get involved in upcoming rescue mission? Is breaking out and becoming known fugitives really the best thing to do at this point?

Are things really as they seem, or is there a hidden agenda to all of it as some fans speculated judging by how Sam and Dean seemingly let themselves be caught red-handed in the midseason finale?

"Supernatural" season 12 will return with the answers on Thursday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. EST on The CW.