Why Supernatural's Sam & Dean Winchester Were Taken to New Heights (And Forever Changed the Show)

With fifteen seasons under its belt, Supernatural explored a vast array of monsters, characters, and heart-wrenching stories. However, the showrunners made a grave error by keeping the Winchesters unchanged throughout the entire run. Supernatural revolves around two brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester, who dedicate their lives to hunting demons. Over the years, the brothers repeatedly save the world, often sacrificing their own lives, yet relentlessly continue their fight for humanity.

Initially, Supernatural followed a formulaic approach, presenting viewers with a new case for Sam and Dean to tackle each episode. The "monster of the week" framework defined the essence of the show. However, as the series surpassed its fifth season, it delved into more elaborate and expansive storylines, with the procedural element taking a backseat to the overarching plot of each season. Unfortunately, despite this evolution, the Winchesters perpetually remained stagnant as characters, which posed as a significant detriment to the overall series.

Sam And Dean Were Stuck In Their Archetypes

Sam and Dean's lack of significant growth over the course of fifteen seasons can be attributed to their strong attachment to their character archetypes. From the very beginning, the Winchesters are presented as two distinct brothers who share a tragic childhood involving the death of their mother and a father who taught them to hunt monsters. Dean is portrayed as the dutiful son who obediently follows orders but also possesses a stubborn and macho demeanor. Conversely, Sam is depicted as the more sensitive and inquisitive brother who yearns for a life beyond hunting and exhibits greater empathy.

While these archetypes effectively define their characters, they unfortunately hinder Sam and Dean's ability to evolve. Throughout the series, they maintain unwavering beliefs and make choices consistent with their established personas, regardless of the season. Though both brothers are willing to make sacrifices for each other and the greater good, they remain steadfast in their predetermined character molds. The only instances where their personalities undergo change are through external influences such as the Mark of Cain or possession.

Sam And Dean's Archetypes Ruined Their Relationship

Sam and Dean's unchanging archetypes not only make them stagnant characters but also perpetuate their repetitive dynamic and arguments. One major criticism of Supernatural is that Sam and Dean's endless debate on hunting becomes tiresome due to their lack of personal growth. Without any character development, the brothers can only temporarily compromise before falling back into the same old patterns.

The showrunners' decision to keep Sam and Dean confined to their predetermined roles ultimately worsened Supernatural. While the characters are beloved, their inability to evolve beyond their early 20s led to a lack of growth and an ongoing cycle of repetition. Perhaps if the Winchesters had been allowed to change and mature, the series could have taken a different and potentially better direction.