The WFB Admins’ Top 15 “Supernatural” Episodes List: #3
Alice’s #3:
Lazarus Rising
Why?: Seriously, does this one need a why? If you went back and had to pick from the 158 episodes the most dramatically shifting, irrevocably changing, never looking back now cause some serious s*** has happened, mind-blowing game changer, “Lazarus Rising” would be your choice. Fine, it’s mine anyway. This episode turned the entire series on it’s ear.
I’m going to tell you a personal connection I have to this episode though which is one reason for the high ranking. The season premiere for this episode, or should I say this highly anticipated, chomping at the bit, “HOW MUCH EFFIN’ LONGER DO I HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE DEAN GET OUT OF HELL?!?” happened on September 18th. On September 16th, I was unceremoniously tossed out of the door at my job without warning, an employer I had for three years, and never got so much as a “thank you.” Or severance. I came home completely defeated and what was on my front porch but a little gift from Warner Brothers. It was the critics promotional package for Supernatural Season Four (my first critics promotional package ever), complete with preview of “Lazarus Rising” and “Are You There God, It’s Me Dean Winchester.” I watched, I completely flipped out, I watched again, I had a major total fangirl meltdown, and then I watched again several times all the way to the premiere. I was able to forget about that unemployment thing for a few days.
It’s that unemployment stint that inspired me, a laid off software developer, to build…The Winchester Family Business website. I also told that story to Misha Collins the first time I met him, at his first con in New Jersey. I think I shocked him a little, but a lot of fans were surprising him that weekend. He ended up signing my critics promotional package, “From one angel to another.” Hee! I get all happy everytime I see it.
As for the episode, since it already made Ardeospina’s and sweetondean’s lists, I’ll again cop out and echo everything they said. For me, the introduction of angels was a equally as thrilling as watching Sam finally use his powers. After three seasons of him brooding about his destiny and fighting the tempation to use them, the grief over the loss of his brother was too great. Getting revenge on Lilith was all that mattered, and he wasn’t going to let those demons get the best of him anymore. Plus, he looked totally badass doing it. Melting demons with his mind? How cool is that? He got better after this too, and while he didn’t need to close his eyes, the extended hand of demon ipecac always stayed until “Swan Song.”
Favorite Quote: It’s totally the end, because Castiel became my new favorite character (along with Sam and Dean). “Because God commanded it. Because we have work for you.” Alright! Take that you demon scum!
Oh, but sweetondean already picked that one. Can’t repeat. So…here’s my other favorite (yes, it could easily be the whole episode).
Dean: (to Castiel) What visage are you in now? Holy tax accountant?
Favorite Scene: Who wouldn’t go for Castiel’s entrance! That’s considered by many to be the greatest character introduction in the history of TV! But, considering Ardeospina and sweetondean picked that one, I gotta go with something else (but this scene totally rocks!).
I’m picking as my second favorite the Dean/Bobby reunion. Poor Bobby doesn’t look like he’s had a good four months. He surely wasn’t in the frame of mind to see his dead surrogate son show up at the door. You see, in season four, these resurrections from the dead weren’t common, aka, they didn’t happen at all. He attacks Dean with his knife, but somehow fresh out of the grave Dean is agile enough to best the older guy. It’s Dean that started the whole, “I’ll prove it’s me” test regiment, slicing himself with the silver knife. A teary Bobby hugs him, they hold on for a long time and then splashes an unsuspecting Dean with holy water. Dean’s look of disgust while the water drips off his face is priceless. “I’m not a demon either.”
The countdown inches ever closer to completion tomorrow as we reveal our choices for #2!
The End… oh Chuck, that was so good.
And thigh holster….
Funny little story, my Ex and our best friend have decided to cosplay cyber punk security guards at a big role playing convention. BEcause… just because. And he asked me to take picture. and as he got dressed, he put on a thigh holster.. and I swear, I stood there for a whole ten seconds, all that was in my head was “thigh-holster, fucking thigh-holster” playing in my head over and over again.
I must admit though, I don´t like Changing Channels. Not, because it´s bad, but because I have trouble with the “funny” episodes in general. I don´t like slapstick and I don´t like it, when they make Dean look dumb, as they sometimes like to do.
Though I love the and, when they trap Gabe. Oh and… Gabriel, I adore him!
“The End” has a very special place in my heart. Not a very special place on my top 15 list, unfortunately, but definitely in my heart! Seriously, though, it’s in my top 25, and it makes me happy to see it listed here. My favorite quote: “Oh I learned a lesson all right. Just not the one you wanted to teach!” Because we knew right then he would go get Sammy. My second favorite quote: “This isn’t funny, Dean! The voice says I’m almost out of minutes!” Plus the image of Cas just standing by the side of the road for a few hours… oh, Castiel, you awkward son-of-a-god. But I don’t have either of those quotes tattooed, so, you win!
As for “Changing Channels”, the question is not why is it so high, but why is it so low?! Lol, you’ll see it on my list tomorrow, if you look closely.
My #3 is “Dark Side of the Moon”. I love everything about this episode – it is my go-to if I’m ever in need of cheering up. I thought they had an amazing interpretation of Heaven, with each soul’s unique version, and the customized view of the Garden. How great was it that Ash used String Theory to navigate between the dimensions? Pretty great. The scenes that showed Heaven for each of the boys did a perfect job of making me completely sympathetic to both of them, despite the fact that they were at odds. Dean needs Sam in his life, needs to take care of others, and Sam needs independence and the freedom to take care of himself. Zachariah was delightful smarmy, but the worst part was when Joshua told them that God just didn’t care. Or rather, when he told Dean, who had been trying so hard not to give up, that he didn’t believe in himself or Sam anymore. Hulksmash!!! No wonder Dean throws out the amulet, and tells Sam episodes later that he doesn’t believe in him. Those words were basically put in his mouth by Joshua, and perhaps God. But I did say this episode cheers me up, right? Mostly, it’s the first scene in Heaven, the way the sky looks, the music that plays, and the smile on Dean’s face as he watches little kid Sam be happy. But also, it’s the fact that Dean wuvs hugs.
“Um… apparently you ‘wuv hugs'”. – Sam
The End has always had a special place in my heart. Jensen’s performance in this episode was staggering. He laid me out! I was crying right along with him in that last scene. Imagine being in Lucifers presence. Speaking to him that way. That was so Dean! The special effects always knocked me out as well. I love the scene where FutureDean pours them both a drink. Then they both pick up a glass. It was seamless. You know it is 2 seperate pieces of film, but you could never tell from the finished product.
Lazarus Rising. What can you say about an episode that good. The opening grave scene was exhillerating to say the least. The Bobby/Sam reunions. Pamela!! Who could forget her perfect line “You’re invited to Grumpy!”. Or Dean’s immediate response-“You are NOT invited!”. Or where she chose to “touch” Dean. PRICELESS! The entire scene between Dean and Castiel was one of the most memorable in any show I have ever watched.
The End is my #1 pick of all time fav episodes.
The acting by Jensen in the episode, as Kripke states on the commentary was Emmy worthy.
I love every moment of it.
My favorite scene and quote are when Dean asks Lucifer/Sam:
Dean: well go ahead kill me
Lucifer: ( tilts head to look behind Dean at 2014 dead Dean on the ground) gives a slight smirk and says…don’t you think that would be a little redundant?
Love it!