Ardeospina’s Top Ten Supernatural Episode Endings
When Alice first suggested that we do a film-critic-style double list for the Top 10 Endings, I thought it was a great idea and hurried off to start working. Then I got really bogged down by the enormity of that idea because man, there have been some amazing endings on this show. I changed my mind so many times while whittling the list down, and I had no idea I was so predisposed to the really dramatic and heartbreaking endings. Lastly, I did not know anything about Alice’s version before making mine, so I was not influenced in any way by her choices (From Alice – Ditto for me). So here is the Top 10 Endings, Ardeospina style.
Honorable Mention – “Sympathy for the Devil”
I can never just make a list with 10 things, can I? At any rate, I had to put this on here in some capacity because this ending will always hold a special place in my heart. “Sympathy for the Devil” was the first episode of Supernatural I ever saw, and while I really enjoyed the rest of the episode, it was the end that really drew me in and made me want to watch the rest of the series. At the time, I didn’t know the full story of Sam and Dean’s relationship or what had happened with Ruby or why Dean was so, so upset and hurt by what Sam had done. I didn’t understand the full weight of Dean’s words. All I knew was that these two meant everything to each other, had for a long time, and now their relationship was severely damaged, maybe irreparably so. As heartbreaking as this ending was, it was also really compelling for me, and I was hooked.
#10 – Lazarus Rising
Awesome! This ending kicked so much ass. It was an amazing introduction for Castiel and for angels into the show mytharc. I loved everything about this, from Dean’s super snark (Holy tax accountant!) to Cass’ intensity to his realization that Dean didn’t think he deserved to be saved. And the angels have work for Dean to do! That was all kinds of cool, and rather ominous at the same time. Plus, we were treated to the wing shot, which was just a perfect effect. I like that the wings are black and smoky and shadowy. This show could never have fluffy white-winged things anyway. It just wouldn’t work. Lastly, I really liked the background music that’s playing at the very end. It added to the feel that though he may be an angel, Castiel is still a dangerous unknown.
#9 – Devil’s Trap
For me, this was the best ending in season one by far. From the opening notes of “Bad Moon Rising,” you just knew something bad was going to happen. It’s just sort of a normal family argument for the Winchesters at first, with John being very narrow-minded toward killing the demon and Sam butting heads with him, though Sam is a lot more restrained than usual. And I just love the moment where he looks at Dean in the rear-view mirror and acknowledges that yes, killing the demon is extremely important to him, but not as important as Dean. In that moment, nothing was as important as Dean. I just loved that part. And then the crash. I know I’ve said it before, but that impact is just brutal. I don’t know how else to describe it. And as they pan across all three Winchesters, I sort of hold my breath because each one looks more and more dead than the last. And thank goodness for DVDs because I would not have been able to wait an entire summer to find out what happened next!
Hi Ardeospina.
Had to read both of yous’ lists before commenting. I really wanted to see how different/similar your lists would be. This was a really interesting read, like your lists were backwards or something. Alice highnoted on the rocking awesome endings and you on the most heartcrushing, emotionally tugging ones 🙂 And still so many similarities were found, yet from different perspectives.
I agree on all your picks. Just wonderful scenes. And I like how you explained why they got to you (and to all of us). Just so many lovely, crushing, badass moments. I couldn’t make a list like this so kudos to y’all.
Like I said in Alices lists’ Comment, I find all the endings as essential. Even if I don’t like a particular eppie, I gotta watch the ending. It’s like the previouslies, I have to watch them too. I guess most people just pass them, but I want to watch them every time, and same goes for the endings. I love all of them, and the use of rock music is pure joy. And sometimes the lack of it gives the same impact.
I just love this show. Each and everyone working on it gives it their 110% and you can see it.
Thank you both for this double listing. Just awesome you guys. And I hope you do this again 🙂
Another great list, and after reading both, I must say that I cannot pick a number one. Aw yeah, cop out, baby!
It’s splitting hairs, because each ending is one chord in the entire song; all are necessary, whether grab-the-Kleenex or holy-freaking-shit or even a subdued one, if called for.
Thanks Ladies for two wonderful lists! I’m going to have to go with Alice for #1 – as far as an ending that completely summarizes an episode and is just so perfectly filmed/edited I have to go with Nightshifter. It may not be heart-wrenching but it is AWESOME!
By the way – I’m surprised that we didn’t get at least an honorable mention to Lucifer Rising for the very satisfying ‘ganking’ of Ruby!?
Thanks, Alice, for the extra screencaps and the paragraph breaks. I didn’t realize some of those descriptions were so long!
Ladies, both of your lists are awesomely awesome! But I just have to give the thinnest edge of the wedge to Ardeospina just because of her number one ending. That is my absolute number one ending too. My tears flow freely every time I see it as it gets to me in every emotional way possible. And the final scene with the Impala and the lights and both boys in the window……just a wonderful ending.
On my own list too is the end of Lucifer rising when Dean knifes Ruby with Sam holding her for him and me screaming “kill the bitch!” at the top of my lungs. LOL! 😮
Between the two of you, basically ALL my favorites are here, except IMTOD, no Big John Croaking
Awesome list, though, as always! Thanks for the “Sympathy” bit, I love reading about how people started watching SPN, what got someone’s attention or tipped them over from viewer to fan
Oh, the ending of Shadow when everyone splits up is a quality ending as well.
If there was some kind of award for faultless delivery of a regular parting kick in the teeth the SPN team would have taken it home for keeps ages ago … For me Nightshifter takes the cake, for no better reason than it so totally rocks and nobody cries/dies/walks out or bangs on for ages about their black and hopeless inner landscape. 😀
PS. Um … And The Black Truck, and the panic-stricken mutual clutch at the end of Lucifer Rising and … and… and … I hate you both, don’t make me choose! 😆
Ardeospina and Alice, WOW both your lists were great!
Devil’s Trap, and AHBLpart1 stand out the most for me, but Heart is right up there too.
These are fun. Can’t wait for your next group!
Ardeospina, well done, wow! Some of my favourite endings are here, too, and thank you for Heart and My Bloody Valentine. They break my heart every time.
And that damn song ‘Silent Lucidity’ was so well picked, but it’s also a heartbreaker (this sounds as if I was a weepy wuss, I guess I am – and I get teary again with the Christmas episode. I don’t like Christmas much, it brings up too much pain, and I understand Sam perfectly in this episode – even if it breaks your heart, you put up a brave face to make the last Christmas a beautiful one for the ones you love).
Oops, and here she realized that her favourite endings were the deeply painful ones…
Ah, I’m a case for my own couch… I can’t really pick a favourite no1. I kinda love them all.
Thanks! Jas
Ladies, great job! And looking at both list, it’s safe to say that this was a hard job, too, so, great job indeed!! 😀
After going thru your lists and my Supernatural-file in my brain (no time for re-watching the episodes), I’d settle for my top 3:
A very Supernatural Christmas – …. trying to find the right words to explain why, and I can’t. I just can’t.
Devil’s Trap – the most shocking and unpredictable ending I’ve ever seen in a show. I was a total mess after that.
Nightshifter – now, that’s MY show 😀 !!
Great list. It made me think about episodes in a different light, but when they showed Dean in hell….I cried like a baby, and I rarely cry! It was like he loved his brother so much, and couldn’t live without him, that he sold his soul–in hell 4ever–just to bring Sam back. If that aint love…. and then to make it worse, he’s calling Sams’ name in the end…. man….
Good list but I think Dead Mans Blood should be up there, that final scene where John agree’s that the three of them should go after yellow eyes together is amazing