The WFB Admins’ Top 15 “Supernatural” Episodes List: #11
Alice’s #11:
Point of No Return
Why?: This was the very special 100th episode, a feat that was astounding at the time because “Supernatural” spent years on the bubble and cancellation block. Jeremy Carver, one of the strongest writers on the team, was given to task to write something memorable (none of us knew at the time it would be Carver’s last script until his season 8 return as showrunner). He did, and I still well up in tears of sorrow and joy every time I watch this one.
Considering Dean had ditched Sam and Castiel in the episode prior to say yes to Michael, this was a script where ALL the cast members were given a chance to shine. This is where “Supernatural” has historically been its strongest, when everyone is together working as a team. Re-watching this episode reinforces for me they should have never, ever, ever, never, ever, ever, ever, never, ever killed off Bobby Singer (still bitter!). As much as I’m enjoying season 8, the episodes aren’t the same without him. His speech to Dean, with the hard edged “I promised you!” puts in perspective how far Dean had fallen.
Dean and Sam’s drama in this episode was more heart crushing to me than any other. Dean had given up and run off, and was stunned that Sam tracked him down. When Sam surprised him at the motel, he was crushed and hurt, and their reunion was unbelievably tear-jerking and painful. Dean wasn’t backing down, as Sam figured, so he brought help in the form of a trenchcoated angel.
The tension was further complicated by Castiel, who was not passively crushed like Sam. He was damned plain vocal about his anger. And snarky too. Hee, a snarky angel, go figure! Dean’s influence had clearly rubbed off on him. I really loved it, though, when Castiel became uncorked after Dean escaped and beat the living heck out of Dean after finding him. For one, it proved it he was a really badass angel. Two, this was the one time Dean needed some sense literally beat into him, and I’m glad it came from Castiel and not Sam. Yeah, it added to that whole Destiel mythos, but I loved it!
The scene that make me bust out crying every time though is when Sam visits Dean in the panic room. Dean delivers a crushing blow to his baby brother with brutal honesty as to why he’s chosen to say yes to Michael
Dean: I don’t want to. But it’s the truth. And when Satan takes you over, there’s got to be somebody there to fight him, and it ain’t gonna be that kid. So, it’s got to be me.
That brought Sam to tears. And me too. Buckets.
Favorite Quote: I bring this one up a lot. As much as I loved the lines during the “lover’s quarrel” between Dean and Castiel, my fav is when Adam asks Sam and Dean how they plan on stopping the Devil. Considering Dean wasn’t on board with that plan, a smart answer was the only recourse.
Dean: We’re working on “the power of love.”
Funny how the power of love is exactly what did save them, huh? I love irony.
Favorite Scene: Who wouldn’t pick that scene in the Jupiter room, Dean all ready to say yes, all while an injured Sam stares at him with utter devastation on the floor? It’s legendary! Dean suddenly figures his way out, saying yes only if Michael ices Zachariah. He winks at Sam, then ganks a fuming Zachariah in classic, badass, Dean Winchester form. I jumped up screaming in triumph! Dean is back! Dean and Sam were back together on the same page, ready to take on the apocalypse their way.
Coming up next, we work our way up to the top ten!
I’m like a crazed teen over this show! I just love the way the characters evolve. They come and go as the writers see fit and it always seems to work so far. I AM REALLY ENJOYING IT! 😀 :-* 😉 😛 😀
Eileen, I agree with you. The writing is amazing and the acting is absolutely fabulous.
Totally, Texas. It filled me up in some way where I am less unfulfilled. It’s weird but I think it is the sense of sibling loyalty which mirrors that of my sister and I. And I am the light featured like Dean and she is the dark featured like Sam, except I am the younger of the 2. I love it and I hope it goes on for as long as they can hack it.
Loved all of these episodes – and Point of No Return is right near the top for me – probably number 2. The line you did not mention that gets me every time is when Dean asked Sam why he was taking him with him, and Sam said, “you’re still my big brother.”
You all have inspired me – I am trying to get my favorites down to the top 15. Trying, at least.
All amazing episodes, and all on my top 15 as well! It’s funny, once I finally decided my top 15, I have a hard time justifying one over another. Really, it’s not just that they are all great episodes, but that they are great for such different reasons, and which reasons are more important changes with my mood. Love your analysis of these episodes, too. I hadn’t really considered how well “Point of No Return” balances between all the characters before, but it’s very true.
At #11, I have “Death’s Door”. Great storytelling and a brilliant idea to have the reaper in Bobby’s dreams and use his desire to escape as a device to delve into his past on various levels. We got to learn a lot about Bobby along the way, not to mention seeing how much the boys meant to him. Sam and Dean trying to cope in the hospital definitely tugged on the heart strings a bit! So maybe this should be higher; I’m kind of kicking myself now. But it’s done, and this isn’t a list of which episodes are the most well-written, it’s a list of my favorites, which means sometimes a better episode slips simply for being full of sadness.
“Idjits.” – Bobby
OOOHHH! All 3 of these are amazing. Lazarus Rising was epic for the series. (although I wish they would have left in the deleted part with Cas & Dean).So many amazing parts in that one.
The Christmas episode. I tear up when they give each other those AWFUL presents, that mean so very much to them both! The look on jensen’s face when he tastes the “really” spicked eggnog. So great.
Point of No Return. Just, WOW! The scene you mentioned is so good to me, because Jensen is silent. He says more with his facial expressions than most actors say with pages of dialog.
Hi all, still loving your picks!
I loved that for their 100th episode they didn’t blow their budget to do something extra special. They kept it low-key, and as they often do in this show, when it matters most, they take it back to basics, to the heart and soul of SPN-family. And the scene in the Jupiter room is just another example of how Jared and Jensen can say so much, without a single line of dialogue. I don’t think I’ve seen another pair of actors that do that on TV.
AVSC is without a doubt the best (anti) Christmas special I’ve ever watched.
Lazarus was totally badass, although Death definitely takes my vote for best character introduction.
I agree with you Alice (about Bobby), every time I watch an episode with him, I can’t help but wail in utter derpair 😥 that we don’t get to see him or hear his wisdom anymore. He would be shaping our boys out in season 8, that’s for sure.
Oh can we do a top 15 Sam episodes list too next? So many of my favourite episodes are Sam centric and I wouldnt mind discussing some of those episodes in regards to Sam and Jared with some of my fellow Sam/Jared appreciaters.
That’s actually a really good idea. The possibilities are endless. There could be a top 15 Dean episodes, mytharc episodes, angel episodes, MOTW episodes! You think our lovely administrators are up for it next hellatus? 😉 They do such a great job, wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more! 😆
As much as i LOVE “Lazarus Rising” (and it is in my top ten) it was the beginning of all the cosmic apocalyptic stuff that, to me, made the show just a leetle more unrealistic. I could believe monsters, demons and angels but war with Heaven and Hell and all to do with the brothers? Not so much. Also, it was the beginning of the great rift in the relationship that is my favourite reason for watching and loving.
A Supernatural Christmas is my number one. (Along with 5 or 6 others) 😛 Perfection! And I bow down to Ben Edlund if it is because of him the young Winchesters were in it. Sammy giving Dean the amulet was heart swelling and brought instant tears and Dean coming through the door to find Sam made Christmas for him, wearing that same amulet — Just guh! sweetondean, how can it be so far down on your list? 🙁 That final scene through the window with the snow and the lights on the Impala and knowing Dean is heading for hell just brought forth big sobs from me! 😥
Alice, I couldn’t agree more about Bobby! An awful awful awful awful AWFUL decision to kill him off! How Sera could have done that I don’t know. As wonderful a writer as she is, this will always be a blot in my mind. 😡 As good an episode as it is, and what a great acting job from Jim Beaver it was, it was not worth losing that terrific character from the show. Boooo!!
So sad to see Dean packing his meager belongings up in the box. Is that the second to last time we lay eyes upon THE JACKET of DOOM? So glad to see Sammy who brought along Cas to sort Dean out. Wasn’t sorry for Cas to beat up my hero. He needed that! And he showed all his badassery in the way he scammed old Zach and got the chance to gank him just like he promised in “It’s a Terrible Life”. So sad poor Adam was so slow going out the door. He could have gone while Dean was dragging up Sammy from the floor. Ah well! Drah-mah!
Loving reading your choices so far! 🙂
Wow! Is this true?
http://celebritybabies.people.com/2013/01/07/supernatural-jensen-ackles-expecting-first-child/