Most rewatchable episode of S5: The finalists

[caranfindel]

As I said in the comments earlier, S5 is kind of uneven to me. Some of the best episodes (IMHO) of the series are in here, but I imagine watching The End, and being completely blown away, and then next week you get… Fallen Idols? Paris Hilton? Seriously? Or watching Sam Interrupted, with the boys being committed to a mental hospital because they’re telling the truth, and Dean’s real actual details about his life being the signs of some serious mental health issues, and drugged Sam booping Dean’s nose? All of which is kind of wonderful? And then next week you get Swap Meat. Talk about whiplash.

Anyway. There are many wonderful episodes in this season, and now we need to pick the one we like to rewatch the most. (Note that this doesn’t mean your favorite episode. Some people, for example, love Swan Song but can’t bear to rewatch it.)

And the finalists are…



The End. Normally, an episode with so little Sam in it wouldn’t be one of my favorites. But this one, God. The three leads do such an wonderful job playing characters other than their normal selves. Sarcastic, irreverent Future!Cas (it’s probably just Misha playing himself but it’s a joy to watch). Jensen playing both Present!Dean and Future!Dean so distinctively. And, of course, Jared’s completely amazing Samifer. This is one of those episodes that has scenes I’ll watch over and over again (like Future!Dean telling Present!Dean that Sam said yes and “And we’ve got to kill him, Dean,” or Samifer saying “I win, so… I win.”) as well as watching the entire episode.

Changing Channels. A classic crack episode with a big reveal and emotional punch at the end. The “we’re characters trapped in a TV show” trope may be a cliché but it’s done SO well. I think my favorite is the Herpexia ad. Or is it the Japanese game show? Or the goofy credits for the sitcom? Or is it ALL OF THE ABOVE?

Dark Side of the Moon. This one is magical and heartbreaking. Dean watching Sam get killed. The fireworks. “Condolences.” Dean wanting just a little more time with his mom. “In Heaven, I have six wings and four faces, one of whom is a lion!” Sam’s face when Dean throws the Samulet away. DEAN THROWS THE SAMULET AWAY. Gaaaah.

Swan Song. I just started watching Supernatural last year, so I watched Two Minutes to Midnight and then watched Swan Song immediately after (and I can’t imagine having to wait a week!), and I just sat there for a few minutes and thought “this is the second-best ending to a series that I have ever seen” (the first being Six Feet Under). And you know, maybe it should have ended there. Maybe it should have ended there, no Sam under the streetlight, just all of us sitting there heartbroken. (And I couldn’t stand it so I watched 6.01 next, and went to bed angry and confused instead of heartbroken.) Anyway. This entire episode is just a giant kick in the gut, from Dean telling Sam he’s okay with the plan, to Sam pointing out he’s not coming back, to Sam’s goodbye to Bobby and Cas, to Dean’s reaction when Sam can’t overpower Lucifer and he disappears, to EVERYTHING AT THE CEMETERY. NONE OF THIS IS OKAY. But it’s all wonderful.

So, now that I’ve written this, I realize this may be another poll I can’t bring myself to vote in, because I’m not sure I can decide. That means it’s up to you guys! Please try to vote by midnight (your time) on Saturday, July 26.

(Also, this is completely unrelated, but I heard “Head of the Moment” on the radio this morning and said “Oh, yeah, it’s Tuesday.” I love it when that happens.)

[Poll #1976099]

Comments

[septembers-coda.livejournal.com]

That was a really, really hard choice. Hardest of any of your polls, I'd say. ALL of these episodes. ALL.

[caranfindel.livejournal.com]

I KNOW, RIGHT?

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

I love Changing Channels, it was so clever and funny but it has to be Swan Song, both boys acting was amazing in it.

[corbyinoz.livejournal.com]

Yep. They'd definitely be my top four, too. Nice job. So many scenes.... Oh, Dark side of the Moon when Dean sees Sam happy with Bones the dog and recalls the horror that time was for him... I think I teared up more times in that ep than any other. But I chose The End for the 'Do you love me?' Chase/battle scene, and the sheer brilliance and humour and poignancy of Jensen as Dean in it.

[saltandburnboys.livejournal.com]

I love all of these, especially The End - both boys acted their socks off in that one - but Dean telling Sam he's there for him...that he won't leave him, and Sam's breaking Lucifer's incredible hold on him just. For. Dean. Not for the world...for Dean...god, I love that moment...

Great season finale... :-)

xx

[tabaqui]

*flails*
OH, man. Such amazing episodes. Gotta go with DSotM though. It's got an amazing opening, and then it's so dreamy and weird, voices fading in and out, seeing all that memory and backstory and *emotion*.......
*must rewatch naaaow!!*

You know, though - Paris Hilton was the *right choice* at the time. She was super-'popular' and all over the tabloid media, and the god that was pretending to be here wanted worshipers. It could have chosen Beyonce or a sports figure, but Paris - lots of ready-made people who hung on her every word.

(And, of course, incredibly disturbing to have her try and chop of your head, heh.)

[caranfindel.livejournal.com]

I don't know... I think Paris would have been jarring no matter what. But at least there's a logical reason for her to be there. Snooki, on the other hand... Ugh.

[freya922.livejournal.com]

Hey, I can't choose either. It's impossible!

[cillab42.livejournal.com]

Love The dark side of the moon because it made me understand who Dean and Sam really were.

[cuddyclothes.livejournal.com]

I chose Changing Channels but that's because it doesn't make me cry. These choices--so hard!

[masja-17.livejournal.com]

This is really hard, they're ALL soooo good!!! But I chose The End because I love the way Jared played Lucifer!

But Swan Song is also good, love how Sam overtook Lucifer, gaahh!!

<3