Spoilers 15:20 - The Death of a Hero

[dizzojay]

I've read a lot of criticism about the manner of Dean's death.  Putting it bluntly, being skewered on a rebar.  Some people seem to believe that it was stupid, disappointing, not heroic enough for him.

Everyone is, of course, entirely entitled to their opinion.  My opinion, for what it's worth, is that it was a perfect, and appropriate way for Dean to bow out.

The first thing that struck me during that heartbeaking death scene was that this incident was perfectly placed to enable Dean to die on his feet.  (This satisfied me so much, I wrote a drabble about it).  Dean wasn't lying on the ground in a pool of blood with Sammy crouching over him, he was holding his own, standing up looking Sam directly in the eyes.  For me, that is the single most appropriate and dignified aspect of Dean's death.  However, from a practical film-making point of view, I'm sure it would have made it so much easier to clearly show that beautiful exchange between the brothers.  Every word of dialogue, every nuance of expression, every tear rolling down their faces.  That would have been so much harder to do with Sam looking down over Dean.  The impact of that death scene will live with me for the rest of my life.

Secondly, Dean didn't go out having been beaten on a hunt.   I had a brief exchange with my dear friend theymp and he articulated my own thoughts far better than I could - 'I think I would have found it intolerable if he'd been bested by some monster'.  I think Dean would have found that intolerable too. He had the satisfaction of knowing that he and Sam were on the winning team when he died

Finally, the manner of Dean's passing just serves to reinforce something that is very easy to forget because he is such an exceptional character.  Dean is only human.  He's not a superhero (Jensen's got that to come), he's not some immortal cosmic being, he's not special.  He's just human.  he's a mortal man, and he's fallable.  He can get sick, and stub his toe and have accidents.  And that does not in any way demean or belittle Dean and his achievements; far from it.  In fact it serves to show that what he achieved as a hunter and a hero, time after time was even more amazing than we imagine as we have sat and watched his and Sam's adventures week after week.

His human weakness, his fallability in the face of everything he fought and suffered makes him a titan.

Dean Winchester. Forever in my heart.

Comments

[fanspired]

Ha! I just this second posted this comment on Ash48's post, then came back to my feed and saw yours!

> I concur with everything you say about the episode, including Dean's death. It was fitting that it was just an ordinary hunt. That was always the true vocation: saving people, hunting things, the family business. As for the rest (whatever the plural of apocalypse is) they were just epic distractions that their enemies threw in their paths to keep them from doing their true work. Dean died doing what he loved. It was fitting, too, that no monster could claim a victory over him: the vampire didn't really kill him, his death was almost accidental. But those that complained it wasn't heroic really miss the point, I think. Dean died on his feet, with a spike rammed through him. And all through his speech to Sam he was in abject agony, but he kept fighting, to stay alive long enough so he could tell Sam how he truly felt. Expressing his true feelings was always Dean's greatest battle, and it was wonderful to see he'd grown to the point where he finally won that battle. <

Also, from a filming point of view, I think they wanted Dean on his feet so they could re-create two memorable scenes: the pilot scene where Dean said "I can't do this alone" and his final speech to Sam in season 3 where he made Sam promise to let him go, but this time Sam would keep that promise.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

You're so right. People have been complaining about lack of character development, but that scene showed that Dean had developed so much.

[zara-zee.livejournal.com]

Hard agree with all this.

No different to a fire fighter dying because they're hit by a falling piece of burning timber. Dean died in the line of duty. He beat the bad guys, he rescued the children and then he had a tragic accident. This is such an ordinary, human thing to happen and one of the things I've always loved about Sam and Dean is that they're ordinary humans fighting against beings more powerful than they are. This was a reminder of their humanity and it was a very real ending. <3

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Exactly!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

That's a brilliant analogy.
Agree with everything you said.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Well said. I think 99% of the people complaining that this wasn't a 'heroic' enough death are (as my US friend or even Dean would say) blowing smoke up their own asses. Many of these are the same people who've spent the last few years slagging Dean off for being 'mean' to Cas. They neither understand nor care about Dean except as a potential boyfriend for their angel. Many of them have never watched an episode before Season 4. Many of them stopped watching the show all together years ago but kept banging their annoying Destiel drum regardless, keeping up to date (ha!) by reading the weirdest meta on Tumblr. Now they feel the show let them down, when all of the cast and crew have ALWAYS said this is a show, at its heart, about two brothers and their love for each other.

And you are so right that the best thing about Supernatural was that the Winchesters were always human, even when supported by demons and angels, they prevailed because of their humanity and because they'd do anything for each other. If people can't see that, well. It sucks to be them, that's all.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

100% agree!

[sillie]

Yes to all of this.

[metallidean-grl.livejournal.com]

I love the points you made here. I hadn't thought about Dean dying standing up and how that is dignified. You are right in stating that had he been on the ground it would have been harder to film, for one, and then it would have been hard for Dean and Sam to look each other in the eyes. With them both standing they are able to look at each other and convey all the love they have for each other not only in words but in their eyes. They had such great communication with other without saying a word and with both standing they were also able to make that communication.

As you pointed out, the fact that despite being slammed into the rebar by the vampire, the brothers were still able to best all of them and come out victorious. Dean wasn't beaten to a pulp like he was when he became a demon where Metatron beat up his beautiful face. Or when the hellhounds ripped up his beautiful self. Dean was intact, as a fighter and hunter, along with Sam he was able to kill the monsters and save the children, which was always his mission in life. He goes out saving the innocent like he had countless times before this. That gives me comfort that he really did go out swinging, like he always wanted.

Dean was/is an exceptional character. So many fans wouldn't love him the way they do if he weren't. He had my heart from the beginning and will always have my heart, which is why having his death is so hard to accept. I had wanted more time for him with Sammy when they were at peace with the world and back to just fighting monsters. After seeing the timeline that hells_half_acre put together, its very possible they had anywhere from 3-6 months together in their routine before Dean died, so with that timeline, it does all sit better with me. I am far from being over this though. Even now I'm fighting back the tears because they just won't stop falling. So many people have been saying its hard to say goodbye to Dean. But I have to counter, I'll never say goodbye to him. Even though, yes, he has died, he will always be in our hearts......AND.....we have 15 seasons of Dean and Sam to watch as well as all the fanfic out there. (I have thousands of fics out there yet to read so that will keep me busy for a long time). So, in one way or another, Dean will always be in my life and he will ALWAYS be in my heart, regardless.

I still haven't been able to rewatch the episode. Still too tenderhearted to watch his death scene again. Maybe by weeks end I'll be better. This one will take awhile to recover, that I do know.

I am doing my best to ignore all the wank. Instead I am seeking out positives, those who loved him and want to celebrate Dean in all his glory instead of complain. I don't want or need that extra negativity in my life. My heart hurts enough the way it is.

[fufaraw]

I know it's lazy, but I'm really struggling to find words, so may I just point and nod to this comment? You said what I feel, too.

[metallidean-grl.livejournal.com]

Thanks. It really is hard to put into words our feelings for our beloved Dean. It's just too hard right now. You think you shed enough tears, but then they just fall and fall and fall. Dean is just one of those characters that is everything. We all loved him so.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I've been doing my best to avoid all the negatives. I'm just at a loss as to what these people wanted; had they even watched the show?. I' sad about it all because I just want Jared and Jensen to be able to remember Sam and Dean's final outing with fondness and pride, not with the belief that they started world war three.

And I'm with you about being tenderhearted. The waterworks are all to close to the surface at the moment. :'(

[metallidean-grl.livejournal.com]

Lynn from Fangasm posted her review last night. I loved what she had to say and I agreed with everything. Some of her insights and things she said were exactly what I needed. I am now really more at peace with the finale and have more positive feelings about it than any negative.

But, boy oh boy, the wank in some of the comments. Appalling. I guess Dabb has gotten vilified on his twitter feed from what one of the commenters said. I'm with you, I don't get it. What show did they watch?? What exactly did they want?? I just can't read any of them. I started to read some of the negative comments, but the comments are so mean and vile I had to force myself to stop and close the page. There are no constructive criticisms of the episode just mean words. I could tolerate constructive criticism, but what is being said, NOPE. I just don't want that negativism in me. I love our show, I love our boys and anything else is just garbage.

I'm with you, I want J2 to feel proud of the product they put out and not be trodden down by all the ugliness. They may be kinda used to it by now, but its a shame they have to be. Haven't seen Jensen on twitter or instagram since the episode aired. I'm sure he's doing okay, but it's kinda weird we haven't seen anything from him. I hope the negativity isn't spilling out onto their twitter or IG feeds. I'm thinking they probably don't even read any comments, I wouldn't if I were them.

Still feeling tenderhearted, but I am getting better each day. Just in time for me to watch the episode again and crumble all over again. Like you, the waterworks are very close to the surface. I think if someone were to even look at me wrong I'd burst out in tears, for really no other reason than I'm still somewhat broken over this episode. It's crazy.

[tyrsibs.livejournal.com]

Well said.