The WFB Admins’ Top 15 “Supernatural” Episodes List: #13
Ardeospina’s #13:
“In the Beginning”
Why: I know a lot of people had issues with the fact that Sam wasn’t really in this episode, and yeah, that kind of stunk, but it’s such an amazing episode overall that I’m willing to overlook it. I mean, it’s got everything. Time travel! “Back to the Future” references! Baby John Winchester! Mitch Pileggi! Sam and Dean are named after Mary’s parents! Mary makes a deal with YED! Seriously, it’s epic. The twist that Mary was a hunter from a long line of hunters was amazing, and she kicked so much ass. And seeing John be this sweet young thing was heartbreaking knowing where he ends up. And who didn’t tear up when Dean tells his mom not to get out of bed on November 2, 1983, no matter what she hears?
I feel like this is the start of the shift from Dean and Castiel being at odds and not really understanding each other to their eventual friendship and reliance on the other. It’s also the episode where I decided the angel stuff was really gonna be interesting because look what they could do! Sending people back in time? That’s some powerful stuff right there. And yes, Cass pulled Dean from Hell, but we didn’t see that. It’s different seeing a show of power instead of just hearing about it.
Besides, who doesn’t like getting more background on Sam and Dean’s family? Too bad the Campbells were largely squandered in season 6…
Favorite quote: Dean: Sammy, wherever you are, mom’s a babe. I’m going to hell. Again.
Favorite scene: The scene between Dean and his mother when he tells her not to get out of bed is amazing and heartwrenching, but the one that stands out for me the most is the one pictured above, when Dean convinces his dad to buy the Impala. I just…the Impala! JOHN WAS GOING TO BUY A VW BUS OVER THE IMPALA!!!!!! Bad John! Bad! I loved that Dean had such an impact on the car’s procurement, considering all it’s meant to him. It is pretty much the most important object in the whole universe, after all. Dean was there at the beginning of her history with his family, and I’m guessing he’ll be there in the end, too.
There you have it! #13 is in the books. What do you think of our choices?
I didn’t really like Exile on Main Street on first viewing – especially since I didn’t know Sam was soulless and I wasn’t sure whether we were supposed to like the Campbells. But now I think its a very, very good episode and one of the better “quiet” episodes.
I am also a fan of this episode. It gave us the the info need to fill in the blanks of what the guys were doing during that year.
Beautiful Loser was a perfect song for the montage of Deans old and new life. Jensen says so much with just facial expressions it breaks your heart to see him trying to fulfill his promise to Sam and being heartbroken.
That little hand wave at the end kills me every time I see it.
I totally agree with you on all points. Exile on Main Street is a stand out for Season 6 which held so much promise, but sadly didn’t quite deliver. Still, there were a few episodes from that season that made it on to my must watch list.
Aw, sweetondean, I too love “Exile on Main Street”, the almost wave at the end, Fred Lehne’s Yellow Eyed Demon (my favourite so far), the contrast with construction and hunting etc. I so hurt along with Dean regarding cold cold Sammy.
It was almost impossible to find any review or opinion that agreed with mine when it first was shown. You’ve shown why it is a favourite! Thank you! 🙂
“Devil’s Trap” IMO is an episode than fits into my number 1 episodes. (I have many number ones, so sue me!) 😛
There hasn’t been very much to beat its emotional impact for me in the past 4 years. It had so much family angst, great dialogue, great great acting from the 4 J’s and Nicki Aycox and absolutely the most heart busting cliff hanger ever!!!!
I love and admire it every single time I re-watch it and that has been many many times! To me it is a masterpiece by all! I worship Mr. Kripke for giving me this gift.
I should read all 3 before commenting! 😀 Next time!
Sorry, just wanted to say I love all your choices though they would all be much higher on my list. Can’t wait for yours still to come. What a relief from the doom and gloom lately! 🙂
god bless you Sweetondean… I loved Exile on Mainstreet too… I was a little… concerned that not many others loved this one as well… well, I loved it just cuz it was so perfectly made… the montage, the references… everything you mentioned was perfect. 🙂
Wow, none of your #13 episodes made it on my list, but they are all good ones! Just goes to show you how many quality episodes there have been over the years. “Devil’s Trap” is a classic and suspenseful episode, but I agree that the production quality is not as high. Plus I thought the “holy water doesn’t work on a thing like Yellow Eyes” was a bit of a cop-out. I will say, though, that when Dean says he is bothered by the fact that he didn’t hesitate to kill those possessed people, it is a bit haunting when you know how much it does not bother him this season.
My #13 episode is “What Is and What Should Never Be”. I found it telling that Dean’s wish didn’t necessarily result in a perfect life for himself, as he had no relationship with Sam, but he wanted to keep it for Sam and their mother. Also, I was stoked that they were able to save the girl! It punctuated how much they are needed, and at the same time added a win to an otherwise bittersweet episode.
“Why’d you call me a bitch?” – Alternate Sam
I loved the montage in Exile on Mainstreet, and Beautiful Loser is favourite on my playlist now.
I already suspected that Mary might have been a hunter before In The Beginning aired, but I loved it anyway, and I adored that Dean was the one who convinced John to buy the Impala. Could you imagine Sam and Dean driving around in the Mystery Machine??
Devil’s Trap-I’ve mentioned this a couple times here before, but Devil’s Trap was the first ep I ever watched. And I watched it live, which means no benefit of being able to pop the next DVD in, so I was, in fact, screaming at the TV when it ended. Also, your pick, Alice, for the best scene, Meg’s interrogation, was actually the first [i]scene[/i] of SPN I ever watched (heh, my introduction to this show was a blond woman tied to a chair and a tall, hot guy speaking latin-no wonder I stuck around for more 😉 ). In short, Devil’s Trap will always hold a special place in my heart.