‘Supernatural’ Ends: 8 Emotional Goodbyes From Its 15 Seasons (VIDEO)
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the series finale of Supernatural, “Carry On.”]
Over its 15 seasons, Sam and Dean Winchester (Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, respectively) have had to say goodbye to one another and to family and friends too many times. So perhaps it was only fitting that Supernatural‘s ending had one last one for the brothers. But this one was the most heartbreaking of them all, because it wasn’t something they could have seen coming. There was no ticking clock, no warning. Instead, a hunt just went terribly wrong.
In honor of the final episode and that moment, we’ve gathered some of the emotional farewells the Winchesters and their family and friends have shared over the years below.
Dean Went to Hell (“No Rest for the Wicked,” Season 3, Episode 16)
After Dean sold his soul to bring Sam back to life, the clock was ticking…and when a year was up, hellhounds came to drag him to hell. The brothers tried to find a way out of it, but there was nothing they could do — and they didn’t even have the chance to really say goodbye (but just look at their faces at the beginning of the clip above). (But hey, it would only take until the Season 4 premiere for Misha Collins’ Castiel to grip Dean tight and raise him from perdition.)
Ellen & Jo’s Deaths (“Abandon All Hope,” Season 5, Episode 10)
“See you on the other side,” Dean told Jo (Alona Tal) before kissing her as, mortally wounded, she prepared to go out by blowing up hellhounds. But her mother, Ellen (Samantha Ferris), stayed with her, sacrificing herself as well. “I will not leave you here alone,” she said, before instructing Dean to “Kick it in the ass,” the catch phrase of the late producer and director Kim Manners.
Sam Went to Hell (“Swan Song,” Season 5, Episode 22)
It was all in the looks (again). After regaining control of his body from Lucifer, Sam took him and Michael (possessing the Winchesters’ half-brother Adam, played by Jake Abel) to hell. Dean, having been beaten by the devil, could only watch.
Bobby’s Death (“Death’s Door,” Season 7, Episode 10)
“Idjits” has never sounded so heartbreaking. Sure, it wouldn’t be the last time the boys saw Bobby (Jim Beaver) and another world’s version would eventually become an ally, but at the time, Sam and Dean lost a very important father figure.
John Returns to the Past (“Lebanon,” Season 14, Episode 13)
After a spell brought John Winchester (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) to the present from the past, he had to go back — and that meant saying goodbye to his wife Mary (Samantha Smith), and sons Sam and Dean. Prior to that, the four of them sat down for one family dinner with that upcoming separation hanging over them.
Rowena’s Death (“The Rupture,” Season 15, Episode 3)
Rowena (Ruth Connell) sacrificed herself for a spell to bring the ghosts and demons back to hell and, because of her death book, it had to be Sam that stabbed her. The others could only watch as she turned with a “Goodbye, boys,” before falling down to hell.
Castiel’s Sacrifice (“Despair,” Season 15, Episode 18)
With Death (Lisa Berry) determined to kill Dean and himself, Castiel summoned the one thing that could stop her: the Empty. But in doing so, he had to sacrifice himself, per the deal he’d made, and with a very emotional, very moving goodbye to Dean, he did just that.
Dean’s Death (“Carry On,” Series Finale)
What seemed like a routine hunt ended up being anything but, when Dean suffered a fatal injury and knew there was nothing that could be done. “I’m so proud of you, Sam. You know that? I’ve always looked up to you,” he told his brother before admitting that he’d stood outside his dorm “for hours” when he came to get him from Stanford way back in the pilot.
“I thought you’d tell me to get lost, or get dead. And I didn’t know what I would’ve done,” Dean explained. “I was scared. Because when it came down to it, it was always you and me. It’s always been you and me.”
“I love you so much,” he said. “My baby brother.” And he only died after Sam told him it was OK. Yes, they’d eventually be reunited in Heaven, but this was still the most tear-jerking scene of the entire series.
Jared Padalecki
Jensen Ackles
Misha Collins
Alexander Calvert
Mark Sheppard
Jim Beaver
Genevieve Padalecki
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Samantha Smith
Mark Pellegrino
Ruth Connell
Rob Benedict
Kim Rhodes
Osric Chau
David Haydn-Jones
Curtis Armstrong
Lisa Berry
Emily Swallow
Richard Speight
Cindy Sampson
Felicia Day
Ty Olsson
Rachel Miner
Samantha Ferris
Mitch Pileggi
Kurt Fuller
Alaina Huffman
Alona Tal
Liane Balaban
Briana Buckmaster
Shoshannah Stern
Lauren Cohan
DJ Qualls
Steven Williams
Kathryn Newton
James Patrick Stuart
Colin Ford
Julie McNiven
Tahmoh Penikett
Nicholas Elia
Sebastian Roche
Chad Lindberg
Thunderbird Dinwiddie
Julian Richings
Katherine Ramdeen
Jeffrey Vincent Parise
Yadira Guevara-Prip
Christian Keyes
Charles Malik Whitfield
Fredric Lehne
Lindsey McKeon
Dylan Everett
Matt Cohen
Christopher Heyerdahl
Lauren Tom
Yasmeene Ball
Raquel Riskin
Adam J. Harrington
Matt Frewer
Anna Grace Barlow
Katherine Boecher
Mark Rolston
Tiara Sorensen
⨁Full Cast & Crew
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Faith
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Carry On was by far the saddest and best.
10 1
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Carry On (although by just a smidge over the Pilot) is my favorite episode. The culmination of these brothers and their story was beautifully bookended.
11 2
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Carry On is one of the best episodes of the show and is the beautiful yet tragic ending we always deserved to get 🙂
10 2
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Carry On. Broke my heart.
9 1
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G
Carry On is my absolute favorite.
9 1
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P
The Pilot episode grabbed me and never let go.
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I love all these episodes but Carry On takes it for me. Just the perfect ending.
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Carry On. Watching Dean die broke my heart into a million pieces but the heaven reunion put it back together again in the most beautiful way.
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Swan Song
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Carry On is my absolute favorite of all time.
8 1
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Carry on.
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What Is and What Should Never Be
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Red Meat
7
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What is and What Should Never Be
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There have been so many amazing episodes but I have to go with Carry On. Not only because it wrapped up Sam and Dean’s journey but also because Jared and Jensen added so many personal touches to the episode. It was their way of saying goodbye as well.
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Carry on is the best.
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Carry on by faaar! It was so well acted...the chemistry was off the charts...the emotions were perfect.... It was just too good
7 1
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Swan Song is my favorite. But Carry On was right for where the show was by the time it ended. I'm glad they got another 10 years to get to something less bleak than they original ending.
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There are better episodes for sure, but I go with Carry On because it is so freaking hard to wrap up a series especially after so many years and this epi took me on a roller coaster of emotions and left my heart at peace in the end.
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carry on beats pilot by a hair
7 1
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Carry on. The show started with the brothers and ended with them as it should. Them getting to spend eternity together after everything they've been through is just so poignant. They deserve the peace and happiness they got in heaven together.
7 1
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Baby.
7 1
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Red Meat- my all time fav but Carry On comes a very close 2nd. Both show the strong relationship between the brothers and what the show has always been about which is 2 brothers that will do anything for each other and the world.
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Carry on, hands down. They couldn’t have given us a better ending, it stayed true to Sam and Dean, it was beautiful, poignant, devastating and so Supernatural.
6 1
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The Finale “Carry on” although in a very tight run with the pilot. The one starting everything, the other putting a perfect end to a great show. There are so many great stories happening, but the love of those two brothers for each other is the best part of it. They would go literally to hell and back for each other. Family is everything for them, but Sam and Dean are the heart of the show and that’s what the finale focuses on.
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Carry on was not only one of the best in SPN...But it is one of the best on TV as far as goodbyes go....the scary confession on Dean's part...The declaration of love...they call backs to the pilot. .the brother's bond that was the heart and soul of the show 🙏🙏🙏 I just loved it so much
6 1
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B
Carry On is my favorite episode. the heart of the show have always been sam & dean and i love that the last episode mostly focused on them. the barn scene was heartbreaking but yet again showed us how deeply their appreciation & love for each other goes. the throwbacks to season 1 were bittersweet but fit perfectly. their reunion in heaven was just beautiful. the story started with sam & dean and ended with sam & dean - like it should be.
7 2
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Carry on, for sure, though the Pilot and WIAWSNB and Faith are also favorites. Love my boys ♥
6 1
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Baby
6 1
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Carry On was the best episode of Supernatural. It was the perfect ending to an amazing show. There was no other way the show could have ended!
4
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Carry On. It brought the brothers' journey to a close in a way that honored their history and their bond. It also was a beautiful way to showcase the gorgeous work that was Jared's and Jensen's performances from the pilot through to the end.
5 1
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Carry On
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Carry On for sure was the best out of this list here with Lebanon being a close second for me. My favorite episode will always be the season 2 premiere where John dies tho. That episode solidified that I would be there for the long hall... at least till Kripke was done with his story. Such wonderful performances by all 3 Winchester boys.
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Faith episode gives me sm comfort
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Carry On was my favourite episode of supernatural, however it is the hardest one to watch cause I’m always so emotional after! Sam and Dean are the heart and soul of the show and it really is about their brotherhood and how much they fought through life because of their love and bond for one another! Perfect ending!
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Carry On was the best ending, if there had to be one at all. It sent us right back into our current series rewatch (after a recovery period of a couple of months) and every episode hits a little differently now in light of the barn scene.
4 1
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Carry On. It was heartbreakingly beautiful and the perfect way to end the brothers' journey.
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THE END FOR SURE
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The Pilot. Simply because without it, we wouldn’t have the show.
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Baby, without a doubt.
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Mint Condition: The Winchester Brothers' idea of a date is hunting down possessed killer toys. Late-seasons episode with early-seasons bro-centric Monster of the Week vibe.
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That is such a hard act, but the one episode I could watch again and again is "Red Meat"
(followed super close by Baby).
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Baby. It was so funny & original! And I love Sam and Dean in that episode ❤️
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Carry on. The saddest but beautiful ending ever
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O
Regarding Dean is my all time favourite, but Carry on is right up there with it.
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Faith is my favorite ep. It grabs you by the heart and doesn't let go.
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What Is and What Should Never Be
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Pilot
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Almost impossible to choose just one (I have my go-to episodes depending on my emotional status...), but I‘ll go with „Baby“ - cause it not only represents the core strengths of the whole show (brotherly bond, family, thrilling plot, challenging how we perceive the world, humor, great music, stellar acting, superb camera work....); it also shows a whole new POV and story telling, proof of a show that has never shied away from leaving well trampled paths to try new things. Kudos, to everyone involved! <3
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Carry On for sure because it was done beautifully and was a perfect bookend for the show. It was bittersweet but it makes me want to go back and rewatch the series.
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Favorite episode is definitely 11X4 "Baby".
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Baby, it’s a unique episode from the perspective of the ca, has some great brother moments and we can’t forget about Night Moves. It combines the heart of the show into one episode.
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Fan Fiction, it’s funny, emotional, has my fave version of Carry On and takes place in my hometown!
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Swan Song
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My favorite episode still is The French Mistake. But as far as farewell episodes, All Hell breaks loose, part I remains the most shocking and traumatic because it was the first time a major character died and it was so unexpected. As for Carry On, I'd say it was a great episode but it wasn't a fitting finale for the show we had been watching for 15 seasons. Everything pointed towards "if we die, we'll do that together too" and I felt a bit like I felt when Bran became king of Westeros in GoT, it didn't make any sense. Only it was much worse cause the relationship we build with this story and these characters, over 15 years, was so much stronger, so much more personal. Breaking the brothers codependency was the worst possible move. Sorry for the rant.
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As a watcher of Supernatural from the start, the top episode for a long time was Hollywood Babylon. It was the first time they pushed the envelope and made fun of themselves.
As time went on, I came along the ride and loved Swan Song for bringing Kripke’s story arc to a close and making us ask for more.
It held the number 1 spot all the way until Season 11 when Baby happened. Depending on the day and my mood, that one can really take my heart.
I think no matter what happened after it, Swan Song will always be my favourite because it was a goodbye, a turning point, but above all, it was a beautiful place to say...’ok, now what?!?’
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Carry On
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Carry on, 15x20. So many amazing emotional roller coasters throughout the years but nothing tops the devastating heartbreak followed by ultimate peace and joy for the Winchester brothers. Fantastic!!
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Mystery Spot
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My absolute favourite episode is Swan Song (it's impossible to beat Kripke-era SPN), but Carry On is a very close second - and the absolute best show-ending episode since MASH.
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There must be something wrong with me because the angst-fest of Dark Side of the Moon is my very favorite episode of all 15 seasons. It’s an absolute roller coaster of an episode. The opening with Walt and Roy is first tense, then shocking. The fireworks scene is our one moment of absolute joy on this show. Sam’s heaven memories (angel influenced or not) are a revelation. Cas’s disillusionment with God’s indifference echoes that of the viewers. And then it’s capped by Dean’s rejection of his brother through the heartbreaking tossing of the amulet. Mmmmm, Hurts So Good. 💔
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Carry On, though it's such a hard choice with 15 seasons to choose from! But I've wanted Sam and Dean to be happy together practically since the Pilot, and Carry on not only gave us Sam and Dean happy together forever in Heaven, it also gave us those precious months in the bunker too. I hate that Sam had to suffer alone for so long, but Supernatural has always been a tragedy, and in the end Sam's suffering just made life in together in Heaven that much sweeter.
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Narrowing down to just one..that's tough! Though I'm gonna go with Carry On. It's tragic and heartbreaking, yet beautiful. Wrapped up the show well.
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Carry On. Such a wonderful ending!
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Carry on, a fitting finale to a beautiful 15-year journey!
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Scoobynatural. It was just such a fun combination of the 2 (driving around the country in an iconic car solving mysteries)
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My favourite is What Is and what should never be. Especially after listening to the commentary track on the dvd listening to Eric praise up Jensen's talent. I know only one but Equal fav is Faith.
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Soo many to chose from 😰😧😟.... Abandon All Hope s5 x10
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Carry On! About love and family. I was blown away, and cried like a baby. Dean death scene broke me! But the ending lifted me up. It was very personal to J2, the rest of the cast and crew, and anyone who touched it! It was so personal for the fans...they thot of us over and above. Remember it was bad COVID time...it was delayed. When they finally got to shoot it so many actors they wanted to include could not get there bc of COVID restrictions. They still managed to make it so special! I’ll never forget it!
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The End, and outstanding performance... Dean centric. Great content. Dean played his now and future self. Erick Kripke called Jensen afterwards and said it was Oscar worthy! It was but SPN was ignored by TPTB, and CW didn’t appreciate what they had, and should have put more time and money into the show.
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It’s damn near impossible to pick just one favorite episode of Supernatural. But one that helped me when I had just lost my father was Season 3’s The Mystery Spot. At first the episode is funny and ridiculous. Then the message the Trickster is trying to give Sam is hammered home. No matter what he did, he was going to lose Dean. I had lost my dad the week before and in the middle of another series rewatch. Watching this episode through these fresh eyes, I realized that nothing I could’ve done would’ve saved my dad. It’s now one of my favorite episodes.
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My very favorite episode is Something Wicked from S1
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Swan Song. Where it should have ended.
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Two Minutes to Midnight
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My fave episode is 10x05 Fan Fiction. =)
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9.19 Alex Annie Alexis Ann
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despair is my favorite episode
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Despair really had me sobbing. Forever moved by Castiel.
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