Season 2, Episode 20: What Is And What Should Never Be

“Your happiness for all those people’s lives – no contest, right?  But why?  Why is it my job to save these people?  Why do I have to be some kind of hero?  What about us, huh?  Mom’s not supposed to live her life?  Sammy’s not supposed to get married?  Why do we have to sacrifice everything, Dad?” 

This episode was the turning point for me with this show - the moment that I knew that Supernatural was something different.  The episode that took Supernatural from a show that I enjoyed watching to something that I knew was really, truly special.  It was my first favorite episode of the show and every time I watch it, I'm moved to tears.

What I said then:

"Seriously, Jensen Ackles is ridiculously hot.  Even if my aunt's bird thinks his picture is funny.  #Supernatural #GISHWHES"

 - Twitter, August 19, 2013

"Dean mowing the lawn and waving to the neighbors with What a Wonderful World playing is my favorite scene of this show so far. #Supernatural"

 - Twitter, August 19, 2013

• This episode is named after my favorite Led Zeppelin song, although I didn't know the name of the song the first time I saw this episode - it made me really excited that one of my favorite episodes is named after the best song.
• See ya, Kansas plates.  We hardly knew you.
• The look on Dean's face when he sees his mother, and he realizes that it's really her - still brings me to tears.
• Jensen's prom picture is adorable
• "Son, you've been drinking?"  "Everybody keeps asking me that, but no."  I love the delivery of that line.
• "Who would have thought, Baby.  We're civilians."
• "You want to mow the lawn?"  "Are you kidding me?  I'd love to mow the lawn."  Dean says that like he's getting the opportunity to go on an amazing trip somewhere awesome, and the scene that follows is still one of my favorite scenes of the series.  The smile on Dean's face, the way he waved to the neighbor - 

Who doesn't want him to be this happy all the time?

• "I kind of feel like I've been given a second chance, and I don't want to waste it."
• "I'm dating a nurse.  That is so . . . respectable."  
• It was kind of neat to see the news stories about the people who died because Dean, Sam and John weren't there to save them.  Call backs to prior episodes are always welcomed, which is why I enjoy the meta episodes with the Supernatural books so much.
• During that scene at John's game - tears right with you, Dean.
• The music at the end of the episode, when Sam, Mary, Jessica and Carmen are all trying to keep Dean in the dreamworld - it's perfect for that scene, haunting and heartbreaking.
• "Why is it our job to save everyone?  Haven't we done enough?"
• The final scene with Sam at the hotel.  "Mom never died, we never went hunting, and you and me just never - you know."  "Well, I'm glad we do.  And I'm glad you dug yourself out, Dean.  Most people wouldn't have the strength, they would have just stayed."
• "All I can think about is how much this job's cost us.  We've lost so much.  We've sacrificed so much."  "People are alive because of you.  It's worth it, Dean.  It's not fair, and it hurts like hell, but it's worth it."