Holy crap! They did kill him! The knife goes through Sam’s spinal cord and is twisted by Jake, all while Dean watches in horror. He runs to his mortally wounded brother, who for all practical purposes is dead before he hits the ground. The lights slowly fade in Sam while Dean examines the fatal gash and gives desperate assurances, more for himself than his deteriorating brother. Then Sam quiet slips away, unable to utter a single word of goodbye, leaving Dean to grasp tightly onto his fallen sibling in the mud. The somber score plays while the camera pans overhead for the epic snapshot of the two locked in a final embrace. Then it goes back to Dean, who cries out “Sam!” before letting his tears fall.
Watching Sam quietly die and Dean’s devastated reaction over losing his baby brother trumps anything these two have experienced. The death is shocking, unexpected, and so damned emotional fans were left immobile from shock in front of the TV for hours after it aired. Some were able to hit the rewind button several times afterward only to be more crushed with each viewing. More importantly, this one moment set off a turbulent chain of events, defining everything Sam and Dean have been through since then.
That’s it! Feel free to share your favorite moments, or just tell me how full of crap I am. What would your list be?
Article comments
1 - AlisonH
I don't think I can find fault with *any* your choices, Alice! Each scene you highlighted just confirmed to me how incredibly lucky Supernatural fans are to have Jensen & Jared portray Sam & Dean.I can't think of another show where I care so much about the two lead characters, where one glance between Jared & Jensen leaves me blubbing and awestruck at the same moment and how a show in its 4th season can leave me with my jaw on the floor week after week!
Thank you for your insights once again, Alice.I look forward to your reviews of the rest of season 4!
2 - Robin Vogel
Alice, this article is fabulous! I agree with everything you said, every scene you outlined. Sam's death scene and the final Christmas scene are probably my two favorites. Both not only left me sobbing for hours, I couldn't sleep both nights after seeing them. I am WAY too wrapped up in this show, and I worry about my sanity sometimes. I'm just praying that Kripke doesn't end the series by killing off one or both Winchester boys, because Alice, if he does, I won't be able to deal with it!
Love, Robin
3 - Kady
I wholeheartedly agree on the final two. Both those scenes have me weeping (just reading your review of the scenes made me cry!) Jensen and Jared are perfection in the roles, and Dean and Sam have long since become as real to me as anyone in my life. I'm just wondering how I'm going to survive when the show comes to an end...
4 - Phillip Winn
I think you missed what makes the "Fixing the Impala" scene so brilliant: it marks a turning point for Dean as he comes to terms with his impending death. Instead of simply living for the moment, as he'd been doing, he starts to think about what Sam will face after he is gone, and prepares Sam to handle car maintenance Dean would do himself were he alive.
So it's everything you said... and more!
5 - Cookie6
I re-lived every scene as you so eloquently described and analysed them. Superb insights, there's not a Supernatural fan not affected by your words. Jensen and Jared bring these brothers to life in a way that has me rivetted to every epi, every scene, every week. I absolutely agree that their unspoken gestures, expressions and subtle nuances add depth to an amazing script so we feel and see everything this sibling relationship is. Fantastic article, Alice, I bookmarked it so I can read it again and again.
6 - elle2
Alice,
I knew I was going to enjoy this when I started reading the rules -- I stopped and said, oh, this is going to be good, even the rules are awesome!
That said, I'd be hard pressed to alter the list. I'm sure I'll enjoy going through and watching eppies again just to check (:-)
A Very Supernatural Christmas still gets me weepy, and just reading the above blurb on it had me reaching for tissues again, No Rest for the Wicked -- more tissues, AHBLII -- where is the box!!
Lists can be made about Sam's most defining moments, the differences when Dean does let tears flow (ELAC, CSPWDT, Heart, WIAWSNB, AHBLI&II, and the trump card is Hell's Angels [or Heaven and Hell, I can never remember] as he finally breaks and lets the floodgates open which issomething Sam has been willing to do but never Dean], there's a dissection of what each of the hugs has meant, Dean and Dad in Shadows - his open embrace of his father showed his need to have his dad in his life - Dean and Sam in AHBLII, Sam and Dean in MS, and then of course the Dean and Bobby and then Dean and Sam in LR but yes, the Mystery Spot one still beats them all for me exactly because of Dean's willingness to let his brother hang onto him for dear life even w/o understanding all that had happened, so much awesome packaged in one little show -- I'm almost glad that only a select few know about it, not too many hands getting in the kitchen to mess up the soup.
Like the other respondents above, when this show ends I will be left without something special that I have come to enjoy on a personal level. I go back to S1 and watch some episodes -- Something Wicked and Route 666 are two especially that come to mind here] and the ending of those two episodes is playing I am hit with a nostalgia about this show that speaks to me and says, when this ends and there is a montage of 'moments' over the seasons, I will know this was special. What is the defining aspect to both those ending scenes? the moments between the brothers, a connection made, a moment shared, a revelation -- well, revealed, and yes, some good old classic rock that washes over me and pulls me in.
For something that is 'just a television show' this one has it altogether right.
Thanks for another great entry from you and I look forward to all your 'labors of love' these next several months while new eppies roll out and more opportunities to analyze come to the fore.
Laurel
7 - Mindy
Thanks so much for this wonderful entry highlighting some of our favorite Supernatural moments. Just reading this had me in tears half-way through. This list is simply amazing, I don't know if I could compose something nearly quite as brilliant myself.
Even watching a "Very Supernatural X-mas" for probably a 4th time when it re-aired on x-mas day, I had tears in my eyes by the end of the episode.
8 - Rachel
Very nice moments all of them, but still too bad you didn't have a single one from season 1. I actually think there are several moments there that could have made it to the list, of which no. 1, Devil's Trap, when Daddy Winchester says that taking out the demon is more important than anything, there is that shared moment when Sam looks into the rearside mirror, catches his brother's eye (bleeding and broken), and says : "No sir, not over everything."
Other moments: When Dean stretches his arm before his little brother to stop Sam from crossing the street without looking (such a subtle moment that defines big brother so well), when Dean confesses to Sam that if Dad and Sam die for revenge, Dean will be left behind to bury them, and Sam's trying to support Dean in "Faith" to help his ailing brother (Dean: "Get off me!"). And how about 4-year old Dean carrying baby Sammy out of the burning house?
Of course, all IMHO. :)
9 - Gloria Oliver
I have to disagree that there was nothing that compared in season 1. There was definitely at least one scene that sprang to mind almost immediately.
Toward the end of the season, when Dean was finally revealing to Sam how he truly just wants the family back and his veneer was finally pierced as they wait for that call from Meg, that whole section is an awesome moment, with tons of body language, but the most beautiful part was when Dean tells Sam to let go that the dead are dead, almost word for word the same speech Sam gave Dean in episode 1, and getting the same reaction from his brother that he did back then. Wall thumping and anger and slow realization. That scene should definitely make the top 10. Heh heh
10 - Alice Jester
Thanks everyone for the awesome comments!
It should be noted, the highest season one moment on my list (#12) was the scene at the end of "Salvation". Sam is lost in disbelief and rage over missing his chance to kill the yellow-eyed demon, while Dean is worried that he can't get hold of their dad. As Gloria mentioned, Dean said the reverse of what Sam said in the pilot as Sam slams him against the wall, and Dean's comment "I'm barely holding it together" just about killed me.
The reason that didn't rank higher is because after the crash at the end of Devil's Trap, Sam and Dean's relationship reached a new level of maturity. They were no longer at odds with each other, and I just couldn't find where that could rank over the others. Maybe next time I'll have to do the top twenty!
11 - Haven
There is always one scene, for me, that is always underrated by everyone else but I love, love, love. At the end of Long Distance Call! It is intense and heart-wrenching as Dean admits how scared he is and that he knows 'hope don't get you jack squat'. Then, it makes me laugh out loud as Dean states 'that the only one who can get me out of this is me.' Sam's obvious response is 'And me.' As to which Dean blinks at him incredulously 'And me? Deep revelation, having a real moment here and that's what you come back with, and me?' Sam deadpan as, says, 'You want a poem?' Dean snorts and shakes his head 'Moment's gone. Unbelievable' And then they sit and watch tv. It is priceless and I think sums up the whole show in four minutes!
12 - Kate
Ditto for your number one choice - my throat still constricts when I recall that scene, with Sam's eyes blinking sleepily closed, wavering like a ragdoll in Deans arms - omgimwellingup! Dear me.
13 - kikibug13
Oy. This is great, and I'm bawling just reading through your work.
I'm wondering, if the brothers live through the end of the show, how broken and dysfunctional they would be.
And... just a tiny comment for #1. Sam's dying hasn't become a common occurrence yet. Dean? Dean's been dying, one way or another, since season 1 (and semi-regularly). Sam, however? I think there are but three times - once in Ava's vision, this, and once struck by lightning.
... and I still bawl when either of them bites it anyway. So it's not really relevant...
14 - cassi
Awesome article Alice!
I was so curious how you would be able to pick just 10 from all the amazing brother moments throughout the 4 seasons.
Your rules are a sign of genius!!!! I think the best part of your article was reading through this great rules, I was so impressed.
I agree with you that season 1 certainly had some amazing and breathtaken brotherly moments but like you I think that with their changed relationship in the following seasons the scenes improved to a level where you gasp, cry or are just laughing by the awesomeness. ;)
You have created a great list and I couldn't disagree with any moment for making it on your list!
The Motel Confrontation - Metamorhosis: was my personal number one because it illustrated the drama and the helpness of the brothers changed relationship in season 4 and if Kim Manners is the director the close-ups and shots are so perfect that you just can't help it and get emotional involved. And this was the scene was dying to see when I heard about Sam and Dean's changed relationship in season 4! and it certainly was far far away from being dissapointing, I just wanted to kill the guy who dared to interupte this amazing scene with a phone call! ;)
Sam hugs Dean - Mystery Spot/ Sam surprising dean with a little Christmas party - AVSC: One thing which is certainly impossible for me is to pick between Mystery Spot and AVSC, I love the hug scene in MS and I equally love the present exchange in AVSC.
Wrestling for Money Clip - Tall Tales: The entire episode was a constant back and forth between a classic silbling fight. I especially loved the Dean-eating-on-Sam's bed and Sam-argueing-with-Dean scene.
Motel room discussion - Fresh Blood: Season 3 showed a differnt Sam, he was busy trying to save Dean and didn't get any help from his brother, he was alone on an impossible mission and that was a new feeling for Sam because usually he always could count on Dean's support. So he was frustrated and bitchy quit often in this season. Dean's "what should I do, write a poem" and Sam's" I just wish you would be my brother again" was amazing to watch and Dean's simple but powerful reaction "Ok Sammy" just nailed it. I love the whole car scene at the end but personally I think the motel room discussion was just stronger and the best brotherly moment in that episode.
PS: Maybe you could a little top ten lists with Supernatural's best guest stars
15 - Julie
Loved your list! Only one problem I have though will be the Samhain scene, since Dean is pretty much in the background of this one. It's only after Samhain's on the floor that we actually see Sam and Dean have a possible look at eachother... But that might just be me! =) On the other hand, I looooooved that you put one of my all time scenes in: The ouija board in the hospital! Whoever thought about making this scene is a genius!
16 - Jane
Just read your list and I must say you picked some of my favorites. I have been watching some episodes recently from S1 and S2 and within the last week rewatch "In My Time of Dying". That is a favorite episode and that scene is a definate favorite of mine. I also like the scene where Sam is standing at the door while they try to revive Dean and he hears him for the first time. After he's revived and Sam is standing in the hall, Dean is talking to him and the camera pans out and Dean is there, then he's not. Sam looks in his direction, like he heard him speaking. That is a cool scene. It's as if he feels his presence, but he also not sure. Well, so much for that. This whole list is great, and I'm gonna have to go back and see them all.
17 - Nicky
i know i'm a little late reading this now, but you had me tearing up the whole way through. i wouldn't change your list at all- every one of those moments were ones that stuck out in my mind!