When Jensen is In a scene, there is no taking your eyes off him. The man is chemistry incarnate. Energy just radiates off him. He raises the level of every scene he is in. His scenes contrast with the others because he is stolid. He is still. He is commanding. He is not running around like a beheaded chicken. He stands firmly and delivers. His face, his voice, his tempo, his posture, he gets the feels. And his appearance in the episode ( as Dean Winchester) was not trumpeted. I had no idea, and was not expecting to see him. The lift I got when he appeared in the episode was very exciting. I didn't know how they would work Dean Winchester in, but they did. It worked. Jensen is fabulous and a great teacher. I hope this large cast can grow, evolve and improve. The writing needs a little work too. Drake Roger's does a fine job as John Winchester. He is handsome, emotional and believable. Meg Donnelly as Mary Campbell feels like she is always rushing her lines. Carlos is talented. The writing for him is not working for me. Lata is promising. She needs to speak up, not speak into her vest. I hope we see a season 2. I'm excited for Jared Padalecki to make an appearance as Sam Winchester sometime. Best of luck to all.
14 Reviews
Great Supernatural Finale
Gislef9 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
First, I guess the writing is on the wall and the production staff knows it. This was pretty definitely a series finale for 'The Winchesters'. I'm in no way saying that officially because I'm in no position to do so. And someone creative could bring the show back. Heck, they essentially brought 'Supernatural' back with this episode, even if for only one episode.
Still, it's hard to see them coming back from this. John and Mary are off, and that's the premise of 'Winchesters'. It was the early days of the Winchester family, before Sam and Dean came along.
Except... as the finale told us, it really isn't. It's all a parallel world in the multiverse. This isn't "our" Mary and John. Granted, that explains the little discontinuity bits and bobs in 'Winchesters' that never really lined up with 'Supernatural'. But it also kind of renders it all meaningless. It's not "our" world, but a remarkable simulacrum with a John and Mary, but not "our" John and Mary. Why did we never hear about Lata, Carlos, and the Akrida. Because they didn't "really" exist. It was another world that we were seeing.
Granted, there were some good parts about this episode. Finding out the Akrida were a failsafe created by Chuck was good. And Bobby's reaction to seeing Samuel with hair was LOL funny.
Basically, the episode was the swan song to Dean that he didn't get in the 'Supernatural' finale. So great 'Supernatural' episode.
As for this episode, it seemed really rushed and incoherent. The Akrida were disposed of off-screen. Except... they weren't? Who were the ones fighting at the end? Were they new Akrida created by Joan after the original ones were sucked back to Akrida World? Were they stragglers? Some other creatures? Maybe there was an explanation but the whole thing seemed kinda rushed. I liked last week's clown episode, but it had nothing to do with the overall storyline. Maybe they should have used the penultimate episode to... penultimatize?
Ditto with Joan. We haven't ever heard about her, and then in the finale she's a major player and does some major monologuing. And her motivation seems to be the whole thing behind the Akrida. Except...she just glommed onto Chuck's failsafe. Why did the Akrida go with her? Were they using Joan, or was she using them? Or was Chuck using all of them? I get the impression I was supposed to care, but the whole thing was so rushed that I wasn't given a reason to care. All the big things like the Akrida being sucked back into the Ostrium (remember when that was a thing 12 episodes ago?) were done off-screen, and instead it boiled down to a swordfight and some cool scenes with Baby.
So overall I'd rate the episode low as a 'Winchester' finale, but high as a 'Supernatural' finale. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
Still, it's hard to see them coming back from this. John and Mary are off, and that's the premise of 'Winchesters'. It was the early days of the Winchester family, before Sam and Dean came along.
Except... as the finale told us, it really isn't. It's all a parallel world in the multiverse. This isn't "our" Mary and John. Granted, that explains the little discontinuity bits and bobs in 'Winchesters' that never really lined up with 'Supernatural'. But it also kind of renders it all meaningless. It's not "our" world, but a remarkable simulacrum with a John and Mary, but not "our" John and Mary. Why did we never hear about Lata, Carlos, and the Akrida. Because they didn't "really" exist. It was another world that we were seeing.
Granted, there were some good parts about this episode. Finding out the Akrida were a failsafe created by Chuck was good. And Bobby's reaction to seeing Samuel with hair was LOL funny.
Basically, the episode was the swan song to Dean that he didn't get in the 'Supernatural' finale. So great 'Supernatural' episode.
As for this episode, it seemed really rushed and incoherent. The Akrida were disposed of off-screen. Except... they weren't? Who were the ones fighting at the end? Were they new Akrida created by Joan after the original ones were sucked back to Akrida World? Were they stragglers? Some other creatures? Maybe there was an explanation but the whole thing seemed kinda rushed. I liked last week's clown episode, but it had nothing to do with the overall storyline. Maybe they should have used the penultimate episode to... penultimatize?
Ditto with Joan. We haven't ever heard about her, and then in the finale she's a major player and does some major monologuing. And her motivation seems to be the whole thing behind the Akrida. Except...she just glommed onto Chuck's failsafe. Why did the Akrida go with her? Were they using Joan, or was she using them? Or was Chuck using all of them? I get the impression I was supposed to care, but the whole thing was so rushed that I wasn't given a reason to care. All the big things like the Akrida being sucked back into the Ostrium (remember when that was a thing 12 episodes ago?) were done off-screen, and instead it boiled down to a swordfight and some cool scenes with Baby.
So overall I'd rate the episode low as a 'Winchester' finale, but high as a 'Supernatural' finale. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
The age of cliffhanger cancellations should be over, well done
Volanis49 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Just like Stargirl and some other recent shows, The Winchesters prepares for the likelihood of cancellation and prioritizes giving us a well rounded story rather than a cheap cliffhanger that may, like so many others from the past decades, never get resolved.
I'm not a big fan of this show or even this episode; storywise I would have preferred a prequel over an alternate timeline but I'll admit it was good seeing the old faces, especially Dean's and it's good to know that they haven't completely given up on continuity. As has been noted the main plot was rushed but I didn't care about it anyway and for the aforementioned reasons I give it an 8/10 (while the show is a weak 7) and I will probably include this episode in any future rewatch since it does make for a better send-off for Dean.
TL;DR They tried something with this show, it didn't quite work but after that became clear they were gracious enough not to try to overstay their welcome.
I'm not a big fan of this show or even this episode; storywise I would have preferred a prequel over an alternate timeline but I'll admit it was good seeing the old faces, especially Dean's and it's good to know that they haven't completely given up on continuity. As has been noted the main plot was rushed but I didn't care about it anyway and for the aforementioned reasons I give it an 8/10 (while the show is a weak 7) and I will probably include this episode in any future rewatch since it does make for a better send-off for Dean.
TL;DR They tried something with this show, it didn't quite work but after that became clear they were gracious enough not to try to overstay their welcome.
Perfect ending
fabj-666408 March 2023
The turn of events in this episode was brilliant! The writing and acting was superb. Echoing what others have said, the show creator, Robbie Thompson, magically transformed this prequel to Supernatural into a sequel able to stand on its own two feet while remaining completely true to the original show. Episode 13 nicely wrapped up the season, managing to bring a satisfying resolution to the primary storyline, and clearly explaining Dean's role as promised in the pilot. For many Supernatural fans unhappy with the original series' finale, it also brought great satisfaction and cameos from key characters. Hope it will get renewed for a second season. Kudos!
Supernatural feels gave me the chills!
yannis_bal8 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
What can I say about this episode? Everything comes in place!
Dean's presence is explained. When everyone said he is not from this earth, I thought that he is just dead, from heaven, and has the ability to travel back in time, maybe to fix some inconsistencies in the timeline caused by another supernatural being. But no! This is another timeline!
And this is a timeline where Samuel has hair, where John becomes a hunter very early, where everyone knows about the men of letters, etc. Details that did not add up with our normal Supernatural timeline.
I hope that there is more to the story than this, ie that this is not the last we saw of Dean
And of course, Bobby's and Jack's guest appearances filled me with so much joy... Added to Rowena's from the previous episode, I hope that we will see more familiar faces in the future
And the good thing is that if we are keeping seeing this timeline, everything is possible to unfold. Unless this is the (happy) end for this timeline and next season deals with another timeline! Then the title of the show 'The Winchesters' refers to different versions of them!
Dean's presence is explained. When everyone said he is not from this earth, I thought that he is just dead, from heaven, and has the ability to travel back in time, maybe to fix some inconsistencies in the timeline caused by another supernatural being. But no! This is another timeline!
And this is a timeline where Samuel has hair, where John becomes a hunter very early, where everyone knows about the men of letters, etc. Details that did not add up with our normal Supernatural timeline.
I hope that there is more to the story than this, ie that this is not the last we saw of Dean
And of course, Bobby's and Jack's guest appearances filled me with so much joy... Added to Rowena's from the previous episode, I hope that we will see more familiar faces in the future
And the good thing is that if we are keeping seeing this timeline, everything is possible to unfold. Unless this is the (happy) end for this timeline and next season deals with another timeline! Then the title of the show 'The Winchesters' refers to different versions of them!
A Fitting End. Wrongs Put Right.
marion-1932321 March 2023
A very well told story, everything nicely explained, the conclusion made sense. Each character was well fleshed out and developed. The supporting cast were more than token guests. Mary and John did indeed put their love and lives on the line and were rewarded. The Monster Club all contributed to the win, by seasons end, they had all learned and grown. And we were treated to a beautiful coda for Dean's story, way more fitting to such an important
Legacy Character, which showed even in death he was unstoppable, that he will always 'Carry On' as the firewall between good and evil, but in doing so he too achieved a lifetime goal, leaving him finally truly free of burdens and at peace. A story of hope that elevated the Supernatural finale to something so much better.
An emotionally charged and satisfying ending
drprofessorsong8 March 2023
How do you write a story that delivers a satisfying ending to the fans of the mothership and the new fans? It's a fair question and it's one that the team clearly thought through because they somehow, despite all odds, delivered.
I like to do my reviews without spoilers, but that does make it difficult because this episode was absolutely jam packed with things I can't say. But I WILL say the episode managed to somehow hit every point. It delivered a satisfying answer to the season long mystery. It delivered some gorgeous emotional beats that left me in tears. And most importantly, it did it with heart.
The themes of family (found and genetic), love, and free will continued to be critical. I hope we will see more. This cast is incredible and I'm not ready to walk away. However, if that's it, it's a full and complete ending for a show that will always be near and dear to me.
In the end, the show exceeded even my wildest hopes for it. It manages to deliver an incredibly deft story that appeals to new viewers (like my spouse) and existing viewers (like me). It creates a world worth exploring and introduces characters worth knowing.
Now we wait, hearts in our throat, to see if we get more.
I like to do my reviews without spoilers, but that does make it difficult because this episode was absolutely jam packed with things I can't say. But I WILL say the episode managed to somehow hit every point. It delivered a satisfying answer to the season long mystery. It delivered some gorgeous emotional beats that left me in tears. And most importantly, it did it with heart.
The themes of family (found and genetic), love, and free will continued to be critical. I hope we will see more. This cast is incredible and I'm not ready to walk away. However, if that's it, it's a full and complete ending for a show that will always be near and dear to me.
In the end, the show exceeded even my wildest hopes for it. It manages to deliver an incredibly deft story that appeals to new viewers (like my spouse) and existing viewers (like me). It creates a world worth exploring and introduces characters worth knowing.
Now we wait, hearts in our throat, to see if we get more.
I loved it!
armuggle8 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I see a lot of people getting mad about Cas not being there. But the story that Jensen is setting up is incredibly compelling and this episode truly proved it. It was more in character than the ending of Supernatural and left enough hints to keep the fans watching. We got to see old faces again (even if Jack was acting off and Dean looked like he was not having a good time) and it explained the "40 year drive" that no one was happy about while leaving the story open for more. I'm excited to see where this story leads and am really hoping for a season 2. I think the team has set it up perfectly fro an even better next season.
He isn't done yet
getdangledon8 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
With the exception of Dean not telling who he truly is I loved this episode. The series while not as good as the original had its moments that made me happy. I loved seeing Bobby and Jack, plus earlier in this season we saw Rowena and the Trickster only wished for Castielle but you can't have anything. Lastly I'd like to say that Jensen Ackles as Dean is in my opinion one of the greatest tv characters of all time and it would be a shame for him to not make more appearances. Sam's got a whole life to live Dean can be saving the multiverse while he waits for his reunion. Hoping for a season two can't wait to see more.
Great twist!
robinho-19935 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I actually like the twist a lot: that it all happened in another universe. I just kinda wish Dean would have told them that, but I get why he didn't.
Honestly the only reason I kinda cared for this was the 'real' supernatural connection. And man, was I happy to see Jack and Bobby too.
However, they could have made all supernatural fans happy, including the ones that were made about the finale, by adding Castiel. Even for a moment. I know it was impossible for Misha, at the very least even a mention that he was in heaven or watching over Sam or whatever would have been nice. Other than that, a good closer for both TW and SPN!
Honestly the only reason I kinda cared for this was the 'real' supernatural connection. And man, was I happy to see Jack and Bobby too.
However, they could have made all supernatural fans happy, including the ones that were made about the finale, by adding Castiel. Even for a moment. I know it was impossible for Misha, at the very least even a mention that he was in heaven or watching over Sam or whatever would have been nice. Other than that, a good closer for both TW and SPN!
What the F?!!!!!
cantrelayne10 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Don't say it's a"Prequel" if it's a "Multiverse Cop Out" - and get your story straight if you do!!!!!
I kept watching, hoping it would get better... NO!!! It got WORSE!!!!
After watching the entire, boring 13 episodes Dean says he took a detour on his drive, looking for his family - hello! Bobby told him John and Mary were up the road, about 5 miles (over yonder by Rufus and Aretha) in the Series Finale BEFORE Dean takes the drive, so why is he looking for them? He knew where they were!!!!
Then he says to the"group"- "The Akrida were going to make their way to my world and I got family there" and then to Jack and Bobby he says "I couldn't let them (the Akrida) destroy our world. Sam's still down there,ok? He deserves a good, long life. Hell, they all do." AGAIN forgetting that in the Series Finale Sam had the long life and shows up on the bridge! Plus if they are in a different 'Earth' why would he say they all deserve a good, long life?
This whole experiment was awful, disappointing and I hope it does not get renewed, and if it does, it needs a SERIOUS OVERHAUL!!!!
The only good parts were when Rowena, The Trickster, Dean, Bobby and even Jack showed up - and if you notice when they did show up the whole feel and chemistry changed because those actors are way, way above the acting done in the 13 boring episodes we got. It was like watching Phds with kindergartners. Lastly, Dean looks awful with a beard, it does not suit the character. It was fine for Big Sky, didn't make sense for Soldier Boy either (beards not common in the '40's), and makes even less for Dean, especially when he gets to the bridge in the Series Finale he doesn't have one, like his beard is going to grow in Heaven - really?!
I kept watching, hoping it would get better... NO!!! It got WORSE!!!!
After watching the entire, boring 13 episodes Dean says he took a detour on his drive, looking for his family - hello! Bobby told him John and Mary were up the road, about 5 miles (over yonder by Rufus and Aretha) in the Series Finale BEFORE Dean takes the drive, so why is he looking for them? He knew where they were!!!!
Then he says to the"group"- "The Akrida were going to make their way to my world and I got family there" and then to Jack and Bobby he says "I couldn't let them (the Akrida) destroy our world. Sam's still down there,ok? He deserves a good, long life. Hell, they all do." AGAIN forgetting that in the Series Finale Sam had the long life and shows up on the bridge! Plus if they are in a different 'Earth' why would he say they all deserve a good, long life?
This whole experiment was awful, disappointing and I hope it does not get renewed, and if it does, it needs a SERIOUS OVERHAUL!!!!
The only good parts were when Rowena, The Trickster, Dean, Bobby and even Jack showed up - and if you notice when they did show up the whole feel and chemistry changed because those actors are way, way above the acting done in the 13 boring episodes we got. It was like watching Phds with kindergartners. Lastly, Dean looks awful with a beard, it does not suit the character. It was fine for Big Sky, didn't make sense for Soldier Boy either (beards not common in the '40's), and makes even less for Dean, especially when he gets to the bridge in the Series Finale he doesn't have one, like his beard is going to grow in Heaven - really?!
Attempt at a Measured Response
Sarah4234 April 2023
I've waited a bit. Had posted closer to air date and deleted. Because I was so very disappointed as a fan of the original Supernatural that it came out too rough.
The essence is true though: if a friend had told me they were doing a John/Mary fanfic, I'd hesitate out of lack of interest and also worry about abuse apologetics. Still, I would read that--for a FRIEND.
But then if they added (1) a time traveling (2) Dead character wiggling through from (3) an Alternate Universe? I'd have to tell them they'd gone too far and nope out.
Friends don't let friends get THAT ABSURD AMALGAMATION outside of the crackiest crack fic. Especially when a lot of that gets info-dumped in the last chapter, rather than woven throughout.
Lazy, lazy, lazy.
---
Now I recognize that even then, it can fail as my cup of tea and I can just move along (even though as a fifteen season fan, that's incredibly hard because we're loyal)
What I will say before going, however, is that I feel lied to as a viewer.
First, we had interviews saying Sam and Cas would be included. Many of us watched on those direct quotes and promises.
That was bait to intentionally fool me into continuing. And as a consumer I don't deal well with smarmy salesmen who don't deliver.
---
Second, the whole idea that this show stands alone and doesn't impact anyone if we don't want to see it? That premise is already proven wrong.
The mothership ending for Sam was poignant because he was duty bound to live life without Dean, even though he didn't want to. He had to break the cycle and be strong--a sort of jumping into the cage moment, only with a softer tone. (However, suburbia can be its own hades, we know)
The ending for Dean was awful because he died young, though heroically saving those kids.
However, the soft landing for him in the original show was that he only had a short drive before seeing Sam again (then presumably soon after, seeing Cas and the rest of the gang)
Now we have Dean up there fidgeting and making side trips which take him away from "Peace," as Jack himself points out in this last episode.
---
Further, Supernatural was all about FREE WILL and charting your own course in spite of huge forces working against you.
Yet in the first moments after Dean gives Sam a big speech and duty binds his brother to break the cycle of meddling with the consequences of Free Will, what does he do?
Dean ascends to heaven and meddles.
He inserts himself in someone else's story line and intentionally alters it.
In addition, he shows he's again protecting Sam--which at least is in character--but by doing so he's undercutting the speech in the barn saying Sam could handle life on his own.
The "twists" of this story directly oppose Team Free Will and fifteen seasons of Dean yearning to have it for himself and everyone else.
It undercuts Sam's autonomy.
Shoot, it even lessens the big WINchester win, defeating Chuck (now that we find he may have onging plot bombs remaining)
---
Anyway, I could go through every reason I think The Winchesters itself is bad--the writing is weak, the acting inconsistent, the seventies not well represented at all.
And yet, since I was mainly watching out of interest as a Supernatural fan, the above are my greatest complaints really.
I'd have loved if it worked, even with the pair they chose to follow.
Some og names I adore are in that credit roll and I'll feel bad if they get cancelled (or, worse, thrown into discount streaming like a knock off)
But I don't like being lied to as a viewer and a waste of my time.
And I especially don't like when it damages the legacy show it's ripping off.
The essence is true though: if a friend had told me they were doing a John/Mary fanfic, I'd hesitate out of lack of interest and also worry about abuse apologetics. Still, I would read that--for a FRIEND.
But then if they added (1) a time traveling (2) Dead character wiggling through from (3) an Alternate Universe? I'd have to tell them they'd gone too far and nope out.
Friends don't let friends get THAT ABSURD AMALGAMATION outside of the crackiest crack fic. Especially when a lot of that gets info-dumped in the last chapter, rather than woven throughout.
Lazy, lazy, lazy.
---
Now I recognize that even then, it can fail as my cup of tea and I can just move along (even though as a fifteen season fan, that's incredibly hard because we're loyal)
What I will say before going, however, is that I feel lied to as a viewer.
First, we had interviews saying Sam and Cas would be included. Many of us watched on those direct quotes and promises.
That was bait to intentionally fool me into continuing. And as a consumer I don't deal well with smarmy salesmen who don't deliver.
---
Second, the whole idea that this show stands alone and doesn't impact anyone if we don't want to see it? That premise is already proven wrong.
The mothership ending for Sam was poignant because he was duty bound to live life without Dean, even though he didn't want to. He had to break the cycle and be strong--a sort of jumping into the cage moment, only with a softer tone. (However, suburbia can be its own hades, we know)
The ending for Dean was awful because he died young, though heroically saving those kids.
However, the soft landing for him in the original show was that he only had a short drive before seeing Sam again (then presumably soon after, seeing Cas and the rest of the gang)
Now we have Dean up there fidgeting and making side trips which take him away from "Peace," as Jack himself points out in this last episode.
---
Further, Supernatural was all about FREE WILL and charting your own course in spite of huge forces working against you.
Yet in the first moments after Dean gives Sam a big speech and duty binds his brother to break the cycle of meddling with the consequences of Free Will, what does he do?
Dean ascends to heaven and meddles.
He inserts himself in someone else's story line and intentionally alters it.
In addition, he shows he's again protecting Sam--which at least is in character--but by doing so he's undercutting the speech in the barn saying Sam could handle life on his own.
The "twists" of this story directly oppose Team Free Will and fifteen seasons of Dean yearning to have it for himself and everyone else.
It undercuts Sam's autonomy.
Shoot, it even lessens the big WINchester win, defeating Chuck (now that we find he may have onging plot bombs remaining)
---
Anyway, I could go through every reason I think The Winchesters itself is bad--the writing is weak, the acting inconsistent, the seventies not well represented at all.
And yet, since I was mainly watching out of interest as a Supernatural fan, the above are my greatest complaints really.
I'd have loved if it worked, even with the pair they chose to follow.
Some og names I adore are in that credit roll and I'll feel bad if they get cancelled (or, worse, thrown into discount streaming like a knock off)
But I don't like being lied to as a viewer and a waste of my time.
And I especially don't like when it damages the legacy show it's ripping off.
Cliche after cliche
mr-altex12 March 2023
I get that Supernatural isn't supposed to be creative in a sense for stuff to make sense or surprise the viewer in one way or another. But this finale confirms there is no room to exploit for this style of writing.
I've seen only pilot and the end and looks like there is absolutely no progression in the quality of both story telling or characters.
Talkative low level bad character with absolutely pointless exchange with both main and side characters. Returning Supernatural characters added to the last scenes at the level of postproduction green screen because they switched the ending at the last moment. It seems like they realized this won't get renewed for the 2nd season so they made some sort of effort but it is so misguided.
I was right to drop it with pilot. Final episode tells me the way there would be as pointless as the explanations in the final.
I've seen only pilot and the end and looks like there is absolutely no progression in the quality of both story telling or characters.
Talkative low level bad character with absolutely pointless exchange with both main and side characters. Returning Supernatural characters added to the last scenes at the level of postproduction green screen because they switched the ending at the last moment. It seems like they realized this won't get renewed for the 2nd season so they made some sort of effort but it is so misguided.
I was right to drop it with pilot. Final episode tells me the way there would be as pointless as the explanations in the final.
I'm Out Ya'll, Peace
wiltoncarter6 April 2023
What in the real God's name were they smoking when they dropped the ball on this abysmal muck of a show? I watched the pilot out of curiosity, then I shouted F-U and took a hike. I watched this blasphemy of an episode to see how worse it could be than the pilot, I really wish I had not watched the pilot. I also wish I had never watched Carry On, 15 years and that's how they went out? I realize we were all in the middle of a pandemic, but Jee-Wiz don't you think that wretched episode could've been a little better. And forget about The entire Winchester Clan altogether, what happened to Dean and the entire Supernatural legacy did my heart no good. And I'm Sorry but Old Man Sam just looked to goofy and unconvincing.
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