Happy Friday TV fans! Well this is it. 15 years of watching the Winchester brothers hunt monsters and the end is finally here. But was it everything you wanted in a series finale? After watching The CW’s Supernatural season 15 episode 20, the show returned to its roots and reminded us that in the end…it’s all about family.
Please note MAJOR SPOILERS are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.
In episode 20, “Carry On,” Sam and Dean cope with life after the defeat of Chuck. Their lives have become somewhat routine, but there is a glimmer of potential when a new case gets thrown their way.
For today, I’m not going to rank my top moments from the episode. Rather, I want to simply reflect on what I witnessed and thank the Winchester brothers for having such an impact on me for 15 long years.
So I knew that the series finale would feel different. The writers hinted that it would give fans of a feeling of nostalgia and I think that it did achieve that along the way. We got to see Dean line up to try every pie imaginable at a festival and even Sammy had some fun as well.
Images courtesy of The CW
The episodes of SPN that have always done well were the weekly ones that took a break from the heavy plot points. The ones that just focus on Sam and Dean taking Baby out for a ride to hunt some monsters and save some people along the way.
Well, that’s what we got, but it took an unexpected turn…
After tracking down a nest to help two boys in need, Dean realizes that something has stabbed his back and that he is fading fast. He gets the chance to tell Sam everything he needs to before he dies, which was heart-wrenching to hear…especially when Sam told him that it was okay and that he could go, honoring Dean’s request.
While this was incredibly moving and well portrayed by both actors, I kept sitting there wondering if this was all some kind of cruel joke. Is this really how we want to watch Dean die? Honestly, I thought he deserved much better than this. I get what the writers did. They wanted Dean to die on a routine hunt instead of making it some kind of grand gesture like with Castiel, but really…
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Sam is left behind with Dean’s dog (so glad he was in the final episode) and he gives him a hunter’s funeral. We get a montage with a heavy Kansas soundtrack and watch Sam carry on with his own life without Dean. He still fights the good fight, but he also has a child named Dean and a wife…who is not Eileen?! Seriously…what is going on?
Images courtesy of The CW
Meanwhile, Dean is up in heaven and it made perfect sense to have Bobby as his guide. We learn that heaven is quite different now thanks to Jack and Castiel.
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OK…so how about we see Jack and Castiel? Mary…John…Crowley…hello, anyone?!
Sam lives out his life and we have to witness his sad excuse for a wig when he walks in the garage to see Baby again. When he is on life support, his own son tells him that it is okay and he can go, bringing things full circle.
Dean has been riding around in heaven and when he gets to the bridge, he turns around and says, “Hey Sammy.”
Images courtesy of The CW
This was probably the only brilliant moment of the episode for me. In the end, the show has always been about the love that these two brothers have for one another and I appreciated this reunion at the end.
However, are we really going to leave Castiel out in the cold?
This really got me thinking about other disappointing series finales of brilliant shows. The 100, Game of Thrones, and Dexter come to mind. It may come down to personal preference and I am sure a lot of fans did enjoy the episode, but I guess I just thought we were going to witness something truly beautiful and epic.
Don’t get me wrong…the intention was there. I saw it and I thought the ending shot was truly wonderful. However, the execution in so many parts was lacking and this was an issue for me.
I started to think about how the show could have ended and even the season finale episode would have worked better. You could have just had Sam and Dean riding off into the sunset to continue fighting the good fight, free to write their own stories.
Or, you could have ended the show with the 300th episode, having the Winchester family sit down for supper.
Images courtesy of The CW
I just don’t know how I feel about this, but I am not going to let it taint my overall opinion of this show. When I think about Supernatural, it has a special place in my heart and it always will.
This show has lasted so long because of the love between these brothers and I am forever grateful for the laughs, tears, and memories along the way.
Thank you, Supernatural. You will be missed…but never forgotten.
Carry on…