It's that time of year again! This is when I pour through every detail of every episode of the season and figure out which qualify for the over forty completely irrelevant and arbitrary categories that I use for these awards every year. Here's part one, or 14 categories that follow no specific order or reasoning.
For the second year running, Crowley takes the prize. Sure by the end of the season his butchering of non-verbose monsters with unabashed wit and cruelty in his blood soaked torture chamber grew tiresome, but with Crowley you never know what’s coming out of his mouth. Here are some of his best soundbites:
"That swan-dive of Sam's, a thing of beauty. 10's all the way 'round, standing O from the Romanian judge. You should be proud, Bobby, as stats go, it wasn't too shabby. Cheer up, mate, we just saved the sodding world together!"
(Mimics Bobby) "I want ma soul back, ya ijit!" (Pointing to himself) "'Fraid not." "But I'm surly and I've got a beard, gimmee! Blah blah blah, homespun cornpone insult. Witty retort from yours truly. The bottom line is, you get bupkus. Are we done?"
Dean: Since when do you give a crap about vampires?
Crowley: Since. . .what's today, Friday?--none of your business.
"SO! We clear? Me Charlie, you Angels."
"You'd sell your brother for a dollar right now, if you really needed the soda."
"Castiel, haven't seen you all season."
"Ah yes, but is that all you're holding? The stench of that Impala is all over your overcoat, angel--I thought we'd agreed--no more nights out with the boys."
"This is NOT how synergy works!"
"Submit or die? What are you, French? How about resist?"
"I know two eerily seated Teen Beat models twirling their hats."
Dean: Let 'em go, NOW or I swear I'll. . .
Crowley: You'll rip me a cornucopia of orifices. Let's get to the bit where I tell you how this goes--your chocolate's been in my peanut butter for far too long.
Dean: I'm going to kill you.
Crowley: I've got your--what are they?--ex-lady friend and not-kid and am keeping them until I'm satisfied that you've BACKED THE HELL OFF!
Worst MOTW
Can you say "Mannequin 3: The Reckoning?" I honestly wanted to put down Mother of All, but even when she was on the screen and I wondered why a prom queen was there more than an ultra-scary, looming force to be reckoned with, creator of all monsters, I didn’t sit there and scream “Why, oh Chuck why?†That only happened with blow up dolls that kill.
Death! That’s what! I can’t think of a better way to let the dark one return to our screens, and the results are even better. Dean talks to Tessa, and there he is, trademark scowl and all. “Hello Dean.†What an absolutely perfect way to get us excited about what’s coming next. Actually, it was one of the very few this year that achieved that.
"Frontierland." This would actually rate higher if it was longer, and wasn’t used later in the episode. Still, Dean as the oh so hot looking sheriff doing a gunfight at high noon? Oh my, I feel a faint!
Worst Teaser
That would be any episode that makes me what to turn off that episode the second I see it. They were smart to put Sam on the floor unconscious before the killer dummy in “Mannequin 3: The Reckoning†otherwise that would be making this list.
So what did win? They obviously learned that mistake because they did it on “Like A Virgin.†That episode had many great moments, Dean fretting over Sam in a coma, Sam waking up and they brotherly reunion, Sam beginning to remember things, Dean and his “brave knight†challenge (Sword 1, Dean 0), Dr. Visyak, and the arrival of Mother of All. It’s the first episode back after a weeks long Winter Hellatus. So you open with, some non-descript chick screaming over shadow monsters in a plane? That didn’t really give us any incentive to go on if we didn’t know that goodness was about to happen.
“Unforgiven." There were several good endings this season, but none absolutely freaked me out more, sending me howling to Twitter ("NOOOOOO SAMMY NOOOOO") than this episode. This would have been a great season ending cliffhanger. The wall comes down. Okay, so it only got kicked a little, but at the time we didn't know that until the previews for "Mannequin 3" gave it away. It was so unexpected. Sam was despondent over finding out what he did to Brenna and Roy and couldn't fix it. Dean tried to help, but Sam was harsh until he realized what his brother was doing. Dean tries to cheer his brother up, just in time for Sam to drop on the floor in a fit of convulsions. As Sam slips into a dissociative state with Dean repeating his name, we get a peak behind the eyes, a la "No Rest For The Wicked." He's burning alive in Hell. NOOOOOOO!!!! SAMMY NOOOOOOOOO!!!!! You broke the wall!
Too bad Mannequin 3 killed all of that fright.
“Mommy Dearest.†You may have noticed, but I have a warped sense of humor. So does Crowley, which is why I love his character. In an episode that named a monster race after a bad classic rock band, Jefferson Starship, what should Crowley but on the jukebox reuniting with Castiel then the band's cheesiest hit, "Miracles." Like its a miracle he's alive. I laughed hard. I love endings like that too.
Worst Ending To An Episode
Wow, is it actually wrong of me to say the season finale? The cliffie that is meant to energize us and excite us all summer? The end that has so tortured us that we are counting down the seconds until season seven begins, burning Kripke’s name in effigy in the process? Sorry guys, not this year. If it’s any consolation, I really loved the episode until that point.
However, even though the finale comes with such great expectations and it just didn’t wow me, the ending that actually pissed me off more was “Exile on Main Street.†Sam and Dean, reunited after a year in which Dean thought Sam was in Hell but he wasn’t (okay, half of him), part without even so much as a handshake. Huh? Okay, we do find out later (episode 7?) Sam is soulless, but for someone waiting all summer for a heartfelt brotherly moment, it was a massive letdown.
Best Use of Classic Rock
No Contest! "Two and a Half Men." Sure this qualifies as best ending scene too, but if one category can only be picked for this scene, I think Classic Rock is more apropos.
As a matter of fact, why in the world did it take them six seasons to use this song! It’s the Dean Winchester anthem, which had to be used when he’s finally given the go ahead to get “her†out of storage and the camera swipes through all the glory shots. “Dun, duh, dah, dun, duh, dah, dah, dun, duh, dah, dun, dah...The tarp off flies off his baby and they’re ready to go back on the road. Sing it loud with me!!
“SMOKE ON THE WATER, A FIRE IN THE SKY...â€
Sure, we gasped as Baby was tossed over by a storm of demons, her lights still burning brightly while flipped over on her hood by demons in the season finale, but that ends up ranking a mere second with me.
My favorite Impala scene comes from “The Third Man†when she raced and beat that crappy plastic Charger. Leave it up to the old girl to show these punk youngsters how it’s done! Baby rocks!
Best Acting From An Object/Being Other Than The Impala
As much as I had issues with “All Dogs Go To Heaven,†the issues all were with soulless Sam. As far as the Lucky the Dog/Skinwalker story, I enjoyed that part very much. More than most MOTW stories this season. That dog could out act anyone. He can emote! He's the best competition Jared has ever had with puppy dog eyes. Sure he used it for creepy stalking, but didn't Souless Sam too?
No doubt, the ending of “You Can’t Handle the Truth.†I know, it was Soulless Sam, but during that whole “something is wrong with me†speech while Dean is waving a knife at him, it’s almost like he reverted to normal Sam. He tried to plead, he tried to rationalize, and I think he did a damn good job of faking the puppy dog eyes. He certainly got Dean thinking! Just as Sam lulls himself and us into a false sense of security and lets his guard down, WHACK! Dean loses it and unleashes the absolute worst beating I’ve ever seen him give to anyone. Wow. I still can’t breathe when I watch that scene, even if Soulless Sam deserved it over what he did to Dean in “Live Free and Twi Hard.â€
Most Touching Brotherly Moment
You know, you would think THE hug, aka "Like A Virgin" hug, not "Exile on Main Street" hug.
However, there was only one brotherly moment that had me busting into tears, and Dean was the only one doing the talking. It’s season two’s “All Hell Breaks Loose Part II†all over again, except this time Sam was only incapacitated, not dead. Same difference, for Dean was just is heartbroken. "The Man Who Knew Too Much."
“This is where we're gonna be, Sam, You get your lazy ass outta bed and come meet us. Sammy, please." Dean places the paper with the address beside Sam on the bed and uses his pearl-handled revolver to hold it down. Meep!
Best Location For An Episode
The boys FINALLY go International! It took six seasons for the boys to leave the country and they did it three freaking times! Two make this prestigious list. Heck, they're the best locations of the series.
Scotland!!! Whoo, hoo! Jokes about Dean’s fear of flying. Whoo hoo! Sam and Dean and their awkward sizes crammed into a European subcompact, with Dean driving with the steering wheel on the right. Whoo...Bwah!!!
Canada! Yes, Canada is another country last I looked. Sure they love their hockey, but that just becomes another hysterical reason for Dean to complain about something. The constant maple leaf sightings throughout the episode (police tape?) is just inspired.
Sure, the entire Soulless Sam era stands out, but this one I particularly loved the most. Probably because I play this sport and understand. "Exile on Main Street."
Sam: Golf...really?
Dean: It's a sport.
It's a tie, and it comes from Supernatural's two most awesome supporting players.
"And Then There Were None." Damn you Bobby Singer. Supernatural had a lot of very sad moments, but honestly, Bobby’s somber farewell to Rufus with a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue and loads of guilt had them all beat.
Okay, one performance equalled it. In the excellent "The Man Who Would Be King," Castiel’s desperate plea for a sign to his absent God, looking for guidance after his friends have forsaken him, instead is devastated to hear nothing. This was the true point where all hope was lost for this angel and there was no turning back. Considering what he did afterwards (you took down Sammy’s wall???) he really took this snub hard.
Coming soon, parts two and three. Oh yes, there's plenty of meaningless awards left to explore!
To check out the awards from previous seasons:
Season One Awards
Season Two Awards
Season Three Awards
Season Four Awards
Season Five Awards - Part One
Season Five Awards - Part Two
Season Five Awards - Part Three
Comments
Best ending of an episode? Without doubt I am in agreement with Unforgiven. I nearly started chewing on the toenails at the end of that one. Was there ever a week as long??
Best brotherly moment? Definitely that scene, without a shadow of a doubt. While not diminishing the hugs we do get, we do, in fairness, expect (or at least hope for) a hug at least twice an episode, every episode, so when we DO get them, they can be a bit of an anticlimax. This moment, however..... The faith and trust Dean had in Sam, after being without it for so long. He knew, KNEW, Sam would come out of it, not because he’s an expert in comas or neurophysics etc, he knew he’d come out of it because Dean’s an expert in Sam.
He didn’t leave Sam food, water or a phone, he left him a gun and an address; and the result of this was much more than the sum of their parts. This was more than a piece of paper and a piece of metal; it was an invitation for Sam to join him in the fight. After years of trying to keep Sam protected from everything, he knows now he wants/needs Sam beside him, not behind him. Jeez, was there ever so much said with so little? I love that scene!
In relation to the worst ending, I’m not sure I’d call it the worst (Lucky walking off at the end of All Dogs Go to Heaven kinda had me rolling my eyes, he's not Lassie, ffs), I do agree that the season finale was a bit muted but that’s actually a good thing.
For the past few years the finales have shown Sam and Dean completely apart, either physically and/or emotionally. I didn’t have the ‘Omigod, what about the boys’ I usually do at finales because Sam and Dean are together at the end of this one. They might not have spoken, or hugged or even acknowledged each other but they didn’t have to, they’re so united it’s unreal. How can we fear the future when the brothers are together? How can we fear for them when they have each others backs? So while I might be intrigued by this new Castiel, I’m not necessarily afraid of him (yet!). He’s up against ‘The Winchester’, for heaven’s sake. I almost feel sorry for the guy!
Oh lads, this truly is a beautiful show.
Those are awesome, but please don't forget Best Samhair Moment!
I love your irrelevant and arbitrary categories for these awards, they're fun... I don't need more.
It's inspiring, too, though, as I am working on my favourite moments of season six, to follow the tradition established with the other seasons... I'm curious whether my faves will be the same... or completely different? Ah, so much to do...
Concentrate on getting better, dear friend. I'm with you in my thoughts, hoping for a soon recovery!
I agree with your awards and I so look forward to the rest of them. I love the stare down between Sam & Dean in Appointment in Samarra (my favourite episode of this season BTW). And being from Canada, I loved all the little Canadian asides in The French Mistake, especially when Dean gives the hobo $50.00 and it's pink (gotta love the colour of our money)!
Thanks again for so much info on a great show.
Having said that I need to admit I love your awards but i have to agree with Tim on that Lassie statement. Never the less I am looking forward to the other parts just don't stress yourself over it.
This was a wonderful article and I agree with all your award winners. I think that Tim has a point, too. That AlphaVamp did make an excellent honorable mention as MOTW. I found him fascinating and scary!
I hope all is going well with you. Please take care of yourself.
Ruth
Yeah, I have to agree, the Alpha Vamp is a good call for honorable mention. I have tons more categories though, so he might still make the cut! The goal is not to repeat in the categories.
Hell ya Sam's hair is part of the awards! Always has been. Best appearance/Wors t appearance. Strangely, I'm having a hard time finding a worst appearance. It was a damn good year. Anyway, those categories will be in part two.
I agree with best teaser. I love when we start off a episode and have no idea what we missed. Why is Dean pulling up to this store, and what is Freddy Kruger going to do to him?
Best ending, agree with this one also. One minute Dean is having a nice conversation with Sam, and then he (and us) hear this loud bam
The un-retiring of the Impala, with the return of Dean's ringtone, what is there not to love.
I never liked the Charger and when it first got put into it's place by the Impala (with a little help from Dean), and then got crushed by Castiel, I couldn't have been happier.
Just a question: the Soulless One had puppy dog eyes????????
Soulless One deserved the beatdown that he got from Dean, especially now that we know what his problem was, but I also think that when he was shot by Sammy in TMWK2M, that may have been Sammy's payback for his brother.
Sorry, Alice, but THE HUG has to win. If Dean had touched Sammy's shoulder or his head when he left the panic room, then maybe it would have beaten out THE HUG.
I think honorable mention should go to a scene in 'Let it Bleed': when Dean walks into the room with two coffee mugs in hand, one for himself and one for his Sam, that small gesture spoke of how much the two of them are back as a unit. Maybe it is me, but that was almost as good as THE HUG.
Just for the record, I agree with Soulless One, I do not see Dean as a golf fan, Jensen maybe, not Dean.
Alice, glad to hear that you are feeling better. Take care of yourself. Do not rush back, we still have a lot of summer hellatus to get thru.
STOP THROWING TOMATOES!!
It's hard to watch that beat down, but I think it had to be done for many reasons---some I'm exploring in the essay that just won't seem to end on Soulless Sam.
I love the second hug for the brotherly moment. It was one of those cheer and little girl clap moments. I love how united they are and while this hug was that big moment for us as viewers that came over half way through the season, we felt like the boys were finally together again after the events of "Swan Song." But I almost love the moment that Dean puts that gun down by Sam more. He's fully trusting Sam will wake up and know what to do. If that's not true brotherly love I'd love to see someone tell me what is.
I actually rather liked Lucky myself. But then I had just gotten caught up on True Blood and kinda saw the whole episode as an homage more or less to Sam Merlotte on that show. Maybe that's just me. . .
I would definetely add for Crowley's lines the ''Exit stage Crowley'' xD Don't ask why! Just love how he talked about himself at the third person
I love your Award choices.
Can’t wait to see what else you have.
P.S Keeping my fingers crossed that your recovery is quick and you can go home soon.
Just kidding, I agree there should be a separation between the Soulless One's best/worst moments and the real Sam's moments.
I will throw no tomatoes at anyone b/c I do not want any thrown at me.
My personal picks:
1) The working out
2) Soulless Sam deceiving the ghouls in Caged Heat (badass)
3) Drinking tea in tiny cups with his enourmous (and sexy) hands in Clap.
I have others but I'm minority here so I better shup up while I'm in one piece.
Personally, I love that tea cup scene myself. It's as close as he ever got to having an innocent expression on his face.
I'd have to say I agree with you on your picks, but for some reason I just really love it when he tels that woman she puts too much glitter in her glue. Sure, it's rude as hell, but it's funny!
I actually loved the "Third kind already? You better run, man. I think the fourth kind is a butt thing."
It's funny as hell but it's also got a serious undercurrent that makes you think. That's what makes it work so well.
And yeah, I love that look on Soulless Sam's face when the hippie girl says "Look Sam, they brought your brother back!" That almost happy but twisted in a bizarre way makes me laugh every time.
There’s loads of things you can do with tomatos besides throw them, (not eat them raw, urgh. They’re like Satan’s testicles). You can whiz them up and make them into sauce for pizza, you can... ah, that’s about it really.
AndreaW, NancyL, you’re not alone in your admiration for Soulless Sam; such a complex character. My favorite moments of him are too numerous to mention but I've very fond memories of him. I'm delighted we got to meet him, to be honest!
Glad to know that I've got company regarding Soulless Sam. He's a bad boy, but a sexy one, huh? Like you, I've got my personal collection of delightful (to me) moments. So yes, I'll miss him.
He didn't have to lose his soul to become sexy.
For the record, I hate raw tomatoes. I like my tomatoes in sauce or as ketchup.
Would you not agree that Sammy was missed?
Love your awards and agree mostly with them.
I do think puppets and mannikins are creepy though (think of Chucky)
My most depressing ending was "Exile on Main Street" with Sam leaving Dean and seeming not to care too much. Geez! What's happening?
And I loved Lucky so that Lassie like ending was the saddest one for me.(So sue me, I love dogs)
Also I thank Kripke that I don't have to suffer all summer with the boys at odds. They are together better than ever and I hope they stay that way from now on.
Looking forward to the rest of the awards.
He crashed the Impala with the boys and Dad inside, at the end of season one (and we didn't even know if the show was renewed)
Season two gave us Sam returned from the dead, and Dean's deal.
Season three, never mind.
Season four, Lucifer rises, Sam and Dean in danger.
Season five, Dean is with Lisa (do not get me started) and Sam (with an unseen Castiel) is under the streetlamp.
So, I agree with you, this season didn't end that badly. Okay Castiel has gone completely power crazy, but as you say Sam and Dean are season one close.
Thank Chuck for small miracles.
Oh yes, the soulless one makes these lists several times. Who do you think takes the hair awards? There's another biggie too.