Scenes From Season One – Part 1
Scenes from Season One – Part 1 — by Elle2
I don’t know where I came up with this idea – other than it happened while I was watching Wendigo and the ‘idea light bulb’ started flickering. Since I’m fairly certain there are no demons, ghosts or angels lurking, hiding or resting in my head, I figured I’d try the idea and see how it comes out.
I’m going to pick one scene from each episode, insert all or a portion of the scene’s dialogue, one or two screencaps and a short narrative from me for each episode of each season. The impetus here is to pick one scene that either best expresses that particular episode, the series as a whole, adds to something we know, really stands out (although in some episodes that will be hard to not just include the entire episode) or otherwise adds to a character.
I think the reason for this, besides being a way to pass Hellatus, is to either introduce new fans to moments in the series, or perhaps allow you (and me) to ‘see’ a progression throughout the five years. Most of these scenes I’ve chosen simply by sitting down with a notepad, a pen and my memory of the episode and writing the first scene that comes to mind from each episode. Occasionally (as is the case for the scene I’ve chosen from Home) I went with a scene that is very powerful but likely is not the one that we always think of when we think of that episode but in this case it’s a powerful scene and it speaks to the mindset of a character and adds to that character’s arc or tells us something about their mindset so I wanted to focus there.
When it’s all said and done, I’m hoping that we get an overall picture of the show, the characters and each season’s arc, all through one scene per episode. It’s a journey pure and simple, this is not a commentary by me on whether any scene chosen is the best or a favorite but perhaps just sums up that episode or something about the show.
So, I invite you into the first of five articles…Scenes from Season 1:
The Pilot:
Eric Kripke stated that he went through multiple rewrites trying to get this scene just right, and in the end he wished he had more time to draft it again. For me, it’s brilliant as it gives us the backstory on the Winchesters and parts of it have been mined over the years for nuggets, none more movingly than in In the Beginning and The Song Remains the Same as Mary’s true wishes and fears are known and become known.
Sam: I mean come on; you can’t just break in, in the middle of the night, and expect me to hit the road with you.
Dean: You’re not hearing me Sammy. Dad’s missing; I need you to help me find him.
Sam: You remember the poltergeist in Amherst, or the devil’s gates in Clifton? He was missing then too, he’s always missing and he’s always fine.
Dean: Not for this long. Now you gonna come with me or not?
Sam: I’m not
Dean: Why not?
Sam: I swore I was done hunting for good.
Dean: Come on, it wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t that bad.
Sam: Yeah? When I told dad when I was scared of the thing in my closet he gave me a .45.
Dean: Well what was he supposed to do?
Sam: I was 9 years old. He was supposed to say “Don’t be afraid of the dark.”
Dean: Don’t be afraid of the dark? What are you kidding me of course you should be afraid of the dark! You know what’s out there!
Sam: Yeah I know but still– the way we grew up after mom was killed, and dad’s obsession to find the thing that killed her, but we still haven’t found the damn thing, so we kill everything we can find.
Dean: Save a lot of people doing it, too.
Sam: You think mom would have wanted this for us? The weapon training and melting the silver into bullets, man, Dean, we were raised like warriors.
Dean: So, what are you gonna do? You just gonna live some normal, apple-pie life? Is that it?
Sam: No. Not normal. Safe
Dean: And that’s why you ran away?
Sam: I was just going to college. It was dad who said if I was gonna go, I should stay gone. And that’s what I’m doing.
Dean: Yeah well dad’s in real trouble if he’s not dead already, I can feel it. I can’t do this alone.
Sam: Yes you can.
Dean: Yeah. Well, I don’t want to.
Sam: What was he hunting?
After Dean goes through the recitation of the hunt he plays a cell phone message and here it all begins…
Dad on voicemail: {Through much static} Dean, something is starting to happen, I think it’s serious. I need to try to figure out what’s going on {The rest is inaudible, as the static has taken over.} Be very careful Dean, we’re all in danger.
Wendigo:
On the heels of the powerful Pilot episode Wendigo falls a bit flat, especially as the show has nearly perfected how monsters of the week clan play out, Nightshifter, Tall Tales, A Very Supernatural Christmas, Red Sky in the Morning…just kidding. Still, when I curled up and watched Wendigo a week or so again I melted into the comfort of two brothers, hunting things, saving people, the family business. It’s no wonder that the scene I chose to sum up this episode is the one from which our site takes its name. Just as The Pilot’s scene laid out the framework for the series, Wendigo gives the reason they do what they do.
Dean: You wanna tell me what’s goin on in that freaky head of yours?
Sam: Dean…
Dean: No you’re not fine, you’re like a powder keg man it’s not like you. I’m supposed to be the belligerent one, remember?
Sam: Dad’s not here. I mean that much we know for sure, right? He would have left us a message, a sign, right?
Dean: Yeah you’re probably right. To tell you the truth I don’t think dad’s ever been to Lost Creek.
Sam: Then let’s get these people back to town and let’s hit the road, go find dad. I mean why are we still in here?
Dean: This is why {Holds up their dad’s journal} …This book. This is dad’s single most valuable possession everything he knows about every evil thing is in here. And he’s passed it on to us, I think he wants us to pick up where he left off, you know saving people, hunting things. The family business.
Sam: That makes no sense. Why doesn’t he just call us? Why doesn’t he tell us what he wants; tell us where he is?
Dean: I dunno. But the way I see it, dad’s giving us a job to do and I intend to do it
Sam: Dean, no. I gotta find dad. I gotta find Jessica’s killer. It’s the only thing I can think about.
Dean: Ok, all right, Sam we’ll find them I promise. Listen to me, you’ve gotta prepare yourself. I mean this search could take a while, and all that anger, you can’t keep it burning over the long haul, it’s gonna kill you. You gotta have patience, man.
Sam: How do you do it? How does dad do it?
Dean: Well for one… them. {Looks over at Hailey and her younger brother} I mean I figure our family’s so screwed to hell; maybe we can help some others. Makes things a little more bearable. I’ll tell you what else helps, killing as many sons of bitches as I possibly can.
And five seasons later Dean imparts that same piece of advice to Castiel who is lost in his disillusionment over God and wonders how Dean keeps going… “Some days you get to kill a whore.”
Dead In The Water:
Not only does Kim Manners join the Supernatural family and take on the burden of helping to chart this series’ course for the next almost four years but Jensen credits this episode as helping him to understand a bit of what is going on inside of Dean’s head. It is also where Sam gets a small peek inside his brother’s head as well, I love this short scene between Dean and Lucas and I always pay close attention to Sam in the background reacting to what Dean is saying.
Dean: Hey Lucas. You remember me? You know, I, uh…I wanted to thank you for that last drawing…but the thing is, I need your help again. How did you know to draw this? Did you know something bad was gonna happen? Maybe you could nod yes or no for me. You’re scared. It’s okay, I understand. See, when I was your age, I saw something real bad happen to my mom, and I was scared, too. I didn’t feel like talking, just like you. But see, my mom—I know she wanted me to be brave. I think about that every day. And I do my best to be brave. And maybe…your dad wants you to be brave, too. {Lucas drops his crayon and looks up at Dean. He hands him a picture of almost a whole town, with a church, a house, and a boy with a red bicycle.} Thanks, Lucas.
After that moment Sam and Dean are driving in the Impala conversing about the photo Lucas gave Dean and after a few moments Sam adds this little bit that I also love:
Sam: You know, um…what you said about mom…you never told me that before.
Dean: It’s no big deal…Oh God, we’re not gonna have to hug or anything, are we?
Phantom Traveler:
Not all the scenes have a lot of dialogue and this next one is an example of that. Up to know the brothers have discussed their efforts to find dad but they have had no contact of him and have even feared that perhaps he’s dead. A call for help from someone John and Dean helped in the past gives they renewed hope and a renewed sense of purpose:
DEAN: I meant to ask you—how did you get my cell phone number, anyway? I’ve only had it for, like, six months.
JERRY: Your dad gave it to me.
SAM: What?
DEAN: When did you talk to him?
JERRY: Well, I didn’t exactly talk to him, but I called his number, and his voice message said to give you a call. [They nod.] Thanks again, guys. [He walks away. DEAN and SAM exchange a look.]
[Later, DEAN and SAM are sitting on the trunk of the Impala. DEAN is dialing his father’s number.]
SAM: This doesn’t make any sense, man. I’ve called Dad’s number, like, fifty times. It’s been out of service. [DEAN and SAM listen to the voice message on the phone.]
VOICEMAIL: This is John Winchester. I can’t be reached. If this is an emergency, call my son, Dean at 866-907-3235. He can help. [DEAN hangs up. SAM, near tears, gets into the car without a word. DEAN follows a moment later. They begin driving away as the screen fades to black.]
In an article during 2009’s Hellatus I wrote about scenes with the Impala and this was one of the scenes I chose, Sam and Dean sitting on the trunk of the car, heads tilted together to hear their father’s voice. Jensen and Jared, in the commentary, comment on how critical a moment it is for the characters who up until now have not heard their father’s voice since the message back in The Pilot. It also deepens the mystery, why is John avoiding them and yet at the same time sending work their way; we don’t get that answer for most of the season but ultimately Kripke does what he’s always done, answers the question.
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This is awesome. Great job. I look forward to the next installments.
This is great elle2. Thanks.
I like all of these episodes (even Bugs) for the insight into the brothers relationship with each other and with their dad.
I’m always disappointed to hear that most fans do not like Wendigo. I LOVE that episode! That conversation you quoted just gets to me and I can understand Dean and his motivations. I can see him as the hero I love that far back at the beginning of the series. It shows the great depth that is in him and I love that he wants to save others from the pain his family has endured. In my round robin viewing I always look forward to this episode.
Whatever monster or evil thing is portrayed, it is only the catalyst that serves to illuminate what the Winchesters are all about (at least for me) and there is always something in even the least admired episodes that gives me that insight.
Looking forward to more of this elle2. Thanks again!
Hi, Tigershire and Bevie,
Tigershire, thanks for the comment…btw, I’m absolutely loving the crossword puzzles and word searches. I got all but 4 on the Season 2 and I’m still thinking on those remaining ones and I’m in process on the musical one…awesomel!
Bevie,
Like you I love Wendigo, it’s so comfy and it is one of my comfort episodes. I like the idea of the boys in the woods, no computers to assist and it’s light-hearted (in a death is stalking us sort of way) and like you, it really helped set Dean’s character as to someone who helps people. It’s nice to go back and watch him there when things didn’t weigh so heavily but it also shows to some extent why he took the burden of the whole planet onto himself later on.
Glad you’re enjoying it.
Hi Elle2
This is awesome. I was really intrigued by the concept of this so before I read what your picks, I went through the list of titles for Season 1 and scribbled down the first scene that came to my mind.
For Wendigo, Skin and Bugs I picked the same scenes as you.
However for the Pilot I thought of the confrontation between Dean and Sam on the bridge.
Dead in the water – the scene between Sam and Andrea after she nearly drowned in the bathtub.
Phantom Traveller – the scene on the plane when Sam tells Dean he needs to calm down.
Bloody Mary – the scene in the car when Sam offers to summon Mary as he knows she will come for him. Dean then pulls over the car to confront Sam about his dreams and guilt.
Hookman – Sam and Dean climbing the poll to sneak into Lori’s dorm room after her roommate is killed. Dean’s expression while being lookout and watching the co-eds is priceless.
Hi, Karen,
I’m glad you had so much fun with this. I love the scenes you chose, the one with Sam and Dean on the bridge in Pilot gets me every time and to see it reversed in Salvation is really a nice tough.
I too like the scenes you’ve chosen, Sam with Andrea and the sun rising through the window, Sam clamming up when Dean tries to get him to spill his grief and guilt and Dean offering to let Sam take a swing at him for Jessica’s death, and the fun of the brothers climbing up into the dorm room…Dean missing that Sam is already part way up and then scrambling to help him and ‘pretend’ he was involved and Phantom Traveller gives us the usually unflappable Dean unable to contain himself with his fear of flying…priceless.
Thanks for having fun…can’t wait to see what else you’ve chosen.