November 19, 2021, marks the first anniversary of the end of an era, the date on which our favorite cast and crew members officially said goodbye to their fans with the last episode of Supernatural.
I remember sitting in my apartment, procrastinating, putting off watching the series finale for a few days longer, if only to avoid the inevitable beginning of my life without the Winchester family. For 15 years, loyal fans watched not only our favorite characters grow but also the actors who brought these characters to life.
Supernatural — “Tombstone” — Pictured (L-R): Misha Collins as Castiel and Jensen Ackles as Dean — Photo: Bettina Strauss/The CW — é 2017 The CW Network, LLC All Rights Reserved.
Specific earworm songs play in our minds like an endless loop courtesy of The Trickster, a.k.a. Gabriel, but this time we’re not mad about it. Over the past year, I’ve found myself reminiscing about specific scenes, like delightful memories of an old friend.
Even something as simple as walking into a store when Asia‘s “Heat of the Moment” starts playing, reminding me of one of my favorite episodes, and I can still replay that episode in my head.
It’s been one year since the finale aired, and though it’s hard to accept my favorite show is over, I look back now with only appreciation and gratitude. Supernatural sparked a generation of misfits finding solace in mystery, humor and family, and it continues through memes and inside jokes among its fans.
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Whether you’re a longtime fan who watched every episode from day one or a new fan discovering why Supernatural has a cult following, this anniversary is for everyone. To know the characters, stories, jokes and songs is an honor for diehard fans and new Supernatural lovers alike.
I look back at some of the classic episodes and laugh, and I feel nostalgic thinking about the first episode that started it all when Sam and Dean reunite to become the brothers and hunters we love. Seeing Sam and Dean go from searching for their dad to fighting the ultimate battle of The Winchesters versus Chuck and every monster, ghoul and demon in between fills me with bittersweet triumph.
Supernatural — “Gimme Shelter” — Pictured (L-R): Jared Padalecki as Sam and Jensen Ackles as Dean — Photo: Colin Bentley/The CW — © 2020 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The series finale, “Carry On,” is a tough pill to swallow, even a year later, primarily because of how it ended for our two leads. Most of the fan base was disappointed with how they said goodbye to Sam and Dean.
Did they deserve better? For many fans, that’s the question that lingers.
Saying goodbye to our favorite characters is never easy. Fans might still feel the sting of those final moments where we saw Castiel and heard Rowena’s voice for the last time. But Supernatural and all of its characters live through me and fans everywhere, and that’s how powerful it is.
To this day, I get choked up (as I’m sure most fans do) whenever “Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas plays while driving. Every time, without fail, I’m instantly transported into the passenger seat of Baby with Dean behind the wheel, cheeseburger in hand.
Naturally, the only thing to do in this situation is turn up the volume because, as my SPN family and I know, “Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his (or her) cakehole.”
Article written by Taylor Rose
SUPERNATURAL Series Finale Recap: (S15E20) Carry On
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