Just before Thanksgiving, Supernatural's "How To Win Friends and Influence Monsters" left us dangling off a cliff with a doozy of an ending: Bobby's been shot! In the head! And on Friday, "Death's Door"—the midseason finale—stomped on our fingers one by one until we were clinging with just our little pinkies, resulting in one of the longest cliffhangers ever, as we still don't know which side of the ether Bobby will end up on. But that doesn't mean "Death's Door" wasn't without merit.
Quite the opposite, in fact. "Death's Door" packed an emotional wallop with a journey inside the brain of a dying man that was reminiscent of several mind-bending movies, including Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Flatliners, and Jacob's Ladder. It was This Is Your Life, Bobby Singer as we followed the grizzled hunter into the deepest recesses of his memory bank, and got some insight into his dark past.
But rather than depress the hell out of us for an hour, Bobby fought for his life and stuck to the task at hand—killing the Leviathans—like a true hunter. While swimming through his own memories, Bobby recalled vital information that he'd obtained before he was shot, when he was sifting through Dick Roman's desk. Determined not to let a little thing like death stand in the way of what he needed to do, Dying Bobby concocted a plan to get his message to Sam and Dean. Imaginary Rufus (welcome back, dude!) helped Bobby out by telling him the only way out of this mind-trap was to visit his darkest memory. Fun!
Through a series of revisited memory flashes we learned that Bobby never wanted to have children, because his own dad was a capital D-I-C-K, one who drank whiskey with his right hand and slapped his wife with his left during Singer family dinners. Afraid he would become a chip off the old dick, Bobby broke the heart of his wife—you know, the one he was forced to stab to death after being possessed by a demon—by telling saying no to kids. She wasn't okay with this idea, and had no problems letting Bobby know. It was sad. Like, really sad.
But Bobby would not be swallowed up by his dad's shadow, and even though he never had kids, over the course of his life he became one of the best surrogate fathers a Winchester could ever ask for. We saw flashes of Bobby hanging out with young Dean, and that's when a lot of the darkness of the episode burned off and "Death's Door" became one of the Supernatural's most touching episodes to date. Bobby replaced John Winchester in Sam and Dean's lives, each side filling a gaping void for the other as childless father raised fatherless sons. That, more than anything, became Bobby's motivation to keep his Reaper waiting, and eventually, after finally telling off the memory of his dad with a few choice words and a rifle blast through the very same part of the head he was shot in, Bobby woke up from his coma to deliver the vital info—cryptic numbers from Dick's desk—to Sam and Dean and lovingly call them "idjits" right before he flatlined.
In one last memory, Bobby was having beers with Sam and Dean while they bickered over whether or not Chuck Norris could beat up Jet Li (sorry Dean, Jet would destroy Chuck), when all of a sudden the Reaper that had been pursuing him all episode long showed up one last time. The Reaper said the boys would be fine without Bobby and that it was time for Bobby to come with him into the afterlife, or fight the impossible fight to stay alive and risk becoming a ghost. "Well Bobby? Stay or go, what's it going to be?" The End.
There were moments in this episode when things came together brilliantly, and the final minutes touched on several topics Supernatural handles very well, such as the bonds between its characters, the impact of life's choices, and life and death. "Death's Door" was a tragedy that reminded us that great things can come from loss. However, with Bobby's life still hanging in the balance, let's just hope that he's not the next loss we all suffer. No amount of good can replace this kind, loyal man.
Notes:
– OMG no one ever taught Jim Beaver how to throw a baseball. Yikes. That was an embarrassing game of catch for Bobby.
– Bobby: "Last memory, huh? Glad I saved the best for last." Awww Bobby, you're killing me over here.
– Bravo, Jim Beaver! *Throws roses onto the stage and rises for a standing ovation*
– It's okay if you cried during this episode. I won't tell.
– Bobby's information for Sam and Dean: 454895. What's that mean? It doesn't look like latitude-longitude points, could it be the ID number of a shipping truck? A security entry code? A high-school locker combination? I have no idea!
– It was a gutsy move to extend the cliffhanger to another episode, but it was done in such a way that it didn't bother me. It was also a gutsy move to make a midseason finale with barely any significant screen time for Sam and Dean. But again, the quality of this episode made it understandable.
– If Bobby does die, what will you do with yourself? I'm always up for major TV characters dying, but dammit I'm not ready for Bobby to die. Not from no Leviathan!
Supernatural Season 7 Power Rankings
"Death's Door" wasn't a good-times episode, but it was a great examination of one of the show's most important characters and delivered the type of emotional heft we've missed from this show. This Power Rankings list is becoming quite a mess; how do I compare this "feelings" episode with the standalone, goofy, escapist episodes I love so much? I guess I'll close my eyes and stick it up high somewhere.
1. "Shut Up, Dr. Phil" (Episode 5)
A pair of witches needed some couples counseling in a gory fun-fest that guest-starred Charisma Carpenter and James Marsters.
2. "Death's Door" (Episode 10)
Bobby fought for his life and delved into his past as he tried to deliver a message to Sam and Dean from beyond the plane of the living.
3. "The Mentalists" (Episode 7)
More standalone fun as the brothers investigated murders in a town full of psychics.
4. "Meet the New Boss" (Episode 1)
Castiel got all righteous on those who didn't respect The Good Word, and it was great.
5. "Slash Fiction" (Episode 6)
Two Leviathans disguised themselves as Sam and Dean and took off on a cross-country shootin' spree!
6. "Hello, Cruel World" (Episode 2)
The Leviathans set up a buffet at a hospital after spreading into the water supply.
7. "How To Win Friends And Influence Monsters" (Episode 9)
Hyperadrenalized cannibals and stoner sandwiches! Dick Roman's plan was sort of unveiled! And Bobby got shot!
8. "The Girl Next Door" (Episode 3)
Via flashback, we saw Sam's first kiss... with a monster! Then Dean killed her.
9. "Defending Your Life" (Episode 4)
Dean went on trial before Osiris because of the guilt he carries. Jo came back to blow him up!
10. "Season 7, Time for a Wedding" (Episode 8)
Too. Much. Becky. Larson.
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
Incredible episode. Loved it from start to finish. Bobby better not die!
If Bobby dies I'm gonna be so PISSED!!!!!! The Show is at it's best when Dean, Sam, Cas and Bobby all are around...
i hope bobby doesnt die he has been one for my fav characters since the begging and it would suck if they took him out now plus who would replace him no one is as good as bobby
I totally agree with you!
God, I love S7! Rapidly becoming my fave season of all! 'Death's Door' was beautifully touching and so emotional. I absolutely loved it. I don't want Bobby to die, but I think after all that build up from the end of 7x09 to now, it would fall short if the gunshot wound didn't affect him in some way. Saying that, it's rare but people can survive gunshot wounds to the head. If he does, I'm thinking amnesia or something is in the cards.
I told myself coming onto this episode that Bobby would make it. He's suppose to be the sole survivor of the show and tell Sam and Dean's story to the future generation of hunters. But then again, Supernatural has never been shy about killing its characters, with Bobby being the last of the recurring characters (seriously, who else is left? Sheriff Jody? She's really more a welcomed guest star than recurring). So, let us keep Bobby. I was sobbing so much in the last twenty minutes of the episode. He's the dad John Winchester should have been, and the fact that his last memory was with the boys instead of his wife shows this. But it's not looking good for him, and I'm almost positive that he will not be revived by the next episode. Until then, I'm going to pretend that everyone is having happy, fun Chuck Norris times in Supernatural till the midseason premiere, where I'll be ready with a box of tissues for when Bobby decides to go with the reaper.
Also, I can't believe you put this after "Shut Up, Dr. Phil." I love standalone eps (just not that one) as much as you, but really, what did that episode over other than a bickering Spike and Cordelia. This had Bobby almost dying, and this is your number 2?!moreless
Cry, heck I did not cry, I bawled, sobbed and totally went to pieces and put this ep at the top of my all time favorites. Swan Song was number 1 for a long time and that one also gets me sobbing. These characters are like members of my family and when I tell someone what SPN is about..one word..FAMILY.
The boys emotions really tugged at the heart strings, especially flashbacks. kudos to lil Bobby for protecting his Mom and mature Bobby saying it had to be done [in so many words]. Rufus is fun. Hope Jody and Bobby hook up for real. Did he get ''snipped'' ? lol
Haha, imagine Bobby returning as an angel vessel -- or something anti-leviathan vessely. Nevertheless, the man got shot, stabbed, demonized, paralyzed, treated like dirt, had his father beaten-up and a gazillion more (but less than Sam and Dean). Also don't forget, he kissed Crowley! So We'll miss you bobby!
If Bobby does die, what will you do with yourself? I'm always up for major TV characters dying, but dammit I'm not ready for Bobby to die. Not from no Leviathan!
I'm holding out for Bobby's return.........as a REAPER!!!??
I don't know which episode was more heartbreaking, "Swan Song" (season 5 finale) or this week's "Death's Door".
I was absolutely surprised they killed off Bobby (apparently)! But, wow, they did it in a great episode! Something they should have done for Castiel too. (But supposedly Misha Collins is scheduled to re-appear, though not as Cass. Probably as Jimmy Novak.)
The show MAY have "jumped the shark" somewhere in the past 2 seasons, but I feel it still has it's moments and wonderful episodes like last week's.
I'm definitely a fan and will keep watching thru the end. The show is about the relationships, not just fighting monsters. And I think it's the relationships that makes the show work so well at times.
I find Dean (Jensen Ackles) seems to have some of the funniest and best lines next to Bobby's ("idjits"). I hate to pick favorites, but I think sometimes I enjoy Dean more than Sam.
Here's hoping they continue to have brilliant episodes like last week's. I think Bobby had to choose to either go with the Reaper or stick around as a ghost. I thought that was what the ending meant. However, the Reaper did mention that because of his brain dying, he would lose all his memories and that is what makes for nasty ghosts. They are left floating around with no memory of who they were.
I hope if Bobby chooses to stick around - as a ghost - that he will be able to interact with and help the boys. Otherwise he's just gonna become the thing he's always hunted.
Can't wait to see what happens!
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Misha has said he will be coming back as a changed Castiel.
maybe Cass will jump into Bobby and possess him? lol
Until i started reading reviews on the internet, I didn't see it as a cliffhanger at all..
I know it ended with a question and Bobby just kind of staring..but i would think the question is obvious. There's nothing left in his memory. He has nowhere else to go. And Bobby wouldn't allow himself to turn into a spirit. So to me...he's dead. If the writers change that, then I'll be wrong. Find out in a few weeks. i love Bobby r.i.p
OK, clearly this is a welcome place for spoilers (of episodes that have ALREADY aired this season, I mean).
My question to the commenters is: How is everyone echoing the sentiment that the "angel storyline" is tired and over with already and that it should be left alone with Cas "dying" and staying that way?? And I don't mean why - say, you don't like Mischa or Cas - but how?
So Lucifer is trapped in the cage, making Crowley the self-proclaimed "King of Hell" - with *Hell* comes *Heaven*. He teams up with Cas to open *Purgatory* whence came the *Leviathans* - you remember those guys, the entire plot of this season?
And yes, just pulling this from Supernaturalwiki without knowing my religious texts, I may be inaccurately quoting. THIS COULD BE SPOILERY IN THE FUTURE. I DON'T KNOW.:
"The Talmud Baba Batra 75b states that the archangels Michael and Gabriel will be the ones who slay the Leviathan. Other legends say God will slay the beast."
It would be really damn great if this is where they went with it. Clearly they started the mythology with this, though, also from Supernaturalwiki:
"Death also refers to the Leviathans as "The Old Ones" a term used by H.P. Lovecraft in the Cthulhu mythos to describe ancient powerful alien beings who come to Earth."
So you've got Heaven, Hell, angels, Purgatory and, then LEVIATHANS as the main big-bads of the season all based in religion and people are saying the "angel storyline" is done? I can understand if people WANT that, but I don't get where they SEE that.
//Since Gabriel is "dead" presumably, in this universe, but Michael is just in the cage, they may have to release him, meaning Lucifer gets out too, creating a problem for Crowley. Could be the way they'll go, but I'm totally jumping the gun and purely speculating. Oh and more speculation: If Bobby dies and goes to Heaven, maybe he meets Cas there, who seems to prefer his Jimmy suit even up there and gives us our Bobby back.//
Oh, and yeah, "Shut Up, Dr. Phil!" was totally awesome to see James and Charisma together again, but #1? Yikes! Drop it 3 or 4 down that list, Tim. The case could be made that the fun episodes outweigh the dark ones and *maybe* the heavily serialized ones, but even so, yeesh.moreless
I think Cas will be back to help repair the damage he did to Sam's wall. He told Dean he would fix it if he could but was to weak. Hoping he comes back to be redeemed in the eyes of the brothers and his own self.
MIsha was one of my favorite characters in any form he played, Castiel, Jimmy, hippie Cas, Misha playing Misha playing Cas, God or the vessel for the Levi. He could always put just the right touch of clueless humor in Castiel. Loved the Pizza Man, classic.
i agree. you can't just go ghosts, other crap, demons, angels, lucifer vs major angel, god-talk (who's leading heaven and mankind?) and now just give us leviathans. it ultimately leads back to the creator so, hurry up already! i want more angels. i'm thinking that the writers don't even know what the big picture is at this point. the reason the brothers went to hell and back, why they're the vessels and what's the point in the end. if this ends like lost in some hocus pocus end, i will be very dissapointed. if that's the case, they should've stopped after the devil was caged. at least that would've made sense! (reading this back and trying to correct my spelling, i'm realizing that this season really didn't bring me anything except losing cas and some black things that are hurting by cleaning product? okay, that was funny) sincerely, very confused fanmoreless
This season hasnt been without its issues but I'm starting to understand what it really is to go back to the beginning and really reboot the show. Sera really means going back to the beginning where the boys lost everything and everyone from the first two seasons. To take out the leviathans the boys must be mad and raw as hell and willing to do anything. Losing there father is that final step. I think that Bobby dying is that last step. Now the Boys will have no qualms about life and become just like the leviathans to try and find a way to truly destroy gods most glaring mistake. As a reward for this, he will give the boys back their "father" at the end of this Journey. Anyone agree.moreless
This is turning into my favorite season! I cried like a baby and I am not afraid to admit it either.
Hm, I remember when in Stargate SG-1, Daniel Jackson died. Or, well, Ascended. For a time Michael Shanks made only a few guest star appearances, but eventually they brought him back for good. I didn't think that possible then and maybe the writers will find a way to bring Bobby back. I hope they will, 'cause Bobby is my favourite character since dr Jackson...
That's quite the eclectic choice of favorites.
Yeah, well, I love(d) them both for different reasons.
If Bobby dies me and most of my friends will quit watching the show. Unless they find a way to bring him back. And I'm not only talking about about the character, I'm also talking about Jim Beaver. Come on, in what universe those letting an actor like Jim go make sense? Seriously? Not to mention the outrage that they're killing one of the most beloved charecters on tv. Isn't life sucky enough without these yahoos killing fun, likable charecters off. I have half a mind to go into CW and start smashing ppl. Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
If Bobby survives being shot in the head, I'm going to start suspecting that Sera Gamble has lost her mind. I'm keeping a death and resurrection tally SPN, and if it gets too high, I'm gonna stop watching. There's only so much lack of consequence that I can take in a show.
And I agree that there's no competition b/t Jet Li and Chuck Norris. Have you seen that WOW commercial? It's embarrassing. Just let us remember you as the Texas Ranger, Chuck. It's over.
People can survive gunshot wounds to the head. Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford was shot in the head and has recovered enough to be back at work in Washington.
If Bobby does die, I'm going to refuse to watch this show ever again.
I hope they keep Bobby in the game. He's the only reason I watch the show.
Great episode.....Good to see Rufus again. Always thought Bobby was an awesome character. You know he will have to find a way back to help the idjits . i just can't see him marching happily off to some afterlife- retirement gig. He's such a stubborn ol goat....probably prefer to hang around as a ghost, leaving S&D with the decision to burn his bones or not. Which will weigh heavily on Dean. Who knows.....maybe time for some divine intervention .....someone new to come along and help out the boys.
I honestly think that this is the best episode of the season, even beyond the witches episode. It was just really well written and well acted. Even if Bobby dies, that does not mean that it is the end for him. He may not become a ghost but he may still come back in some form. Probably not physically like Samuel. But maybe like John did when he escaped from Hell.
Pretty good episode
Yes, agree with everyone - Bobby is dead. At the end when the Reaper was asking him to choose, everything around him had gone dark and that was his brain dying. He was on the island of the only piece that was still alive. There's no fixing a dead brain kids.
I didn't cry, only because I was too busy wrapping my head around what was happening. Totally never thought Bobby would ever die. I am guessing we haven't seen the last of him... but on the other hand if he chooses to spend eternity as a ghost, that means he never gets the peace he deserves... and that's just sad too. Sigh.
Bobby could wake up not remembering he was a hunter.
Worse things have happened in Supernatural and the characters end up safe from harm. Oh, I don't know Sam coming back from Lucifer's cage is kind of impossible.
But that's Sam and Dean, most other characters that died, stayed dead. And those who resurrected, ended up dying again pretty soon.
Splendid episode, the best of the season so far. But as many said, I'm not ready to loose Bobby!
(I normally pretend I'm a hardass, but I did cry in the last few minutes of the episode :,(
Tim, it's unbelievable "Shut up Dr Phil!" is still at number one. You're killing me man!
So sad!! And yes, Jet Li would destroy Chuck Norris.
Also, a little disappointing for Bobby to die from a gunshot. Anti-climactic. Kind of like The Croc Hunter (RIP) and the sting ray. SAD!
Amazing episode. But I'm not ready for Bobby to die, especially after Cas did in 7x02...
This was such a great episode, very touching, superb acting and great character/plot development!
I cried my eyes out ( which I hardly ever do for a tv show). I knew what would happen in the end and I still wasn't ready for it. The writers did a beautiful job but Bobby dying of a gunshot wound isn't how I'd pictured his big finale.
And I agree what others have said. Bobby died. The cliffhanger left us on him either going to heaven or staying on earth as a spirit where eventually another hunter will take him out.
I'm not sure that we've seen the last of Bobby Singer, but I also believe, that he really died and if this should have been his last episode,it would have made an amazing and worthy farewell. I hope though that there won't be any more soul selling to bring him back to life ...
Yet another reviewer who misunderstood the ending!
There was no cliffhanger guys, Bobby died.
The ending wasn't about whether he lived, it was whether he crossed over to the afterlife or stayed to watch over the boys as a ghost.
Knowing how stubborn Bobby is, I bet he stayed and became a ghost. The real question is - will he be able to keep his sanity. As Rufus correctly pointed out "when was the last time you saw a ghost who kept it together?".
Oh, and I totally cried. Like a baby.
Aside from the fact that I love both Bobby's character AND Jim Beaver and I'm not ready to see him go, there is one more reason why they simply CAN'T (or, rather, MUST NOT) write Bobby off. On aoltv.com it was stated a few times how little emotional support the Winchester brothers have and it's true. Other than Bobby, they have - literally - no one. I don't think any characters, even as amazing as Sam and Dean are, can survive without a single supporting character. They need Bobby and the show needs Bobby to hold on.
And, yes, the episode was truly brilliant and Jim Beaver really gave his best.
BTW: did anyone else get freaked out by the fact that Bobby's Reaper was portrayed by the same actor who was God a few seasons back? Or am I just imagining things...?
- Where is God anyway?!moreless
No, Chuck and the Reaper were played by two different guys who do look quite a bit a like and they were both on Felicity if anyone remembers that show. And they def need to bring back Chuck.
OMG! You're right. I could've sworn they were the same actor. Too bad I was wrong. It would be sooo cool.
But they really need to bring God back. I mean the character was so awesome. And it is really high time for something really freaky to happen. And what's more freaky then appearance of God Himself? :D
Was god the angel gardener who could hear God? Was that actually God in disguise? Other than that I have no recollection of God giving the Winchesters anything more than a busy-signal on the God-phone.
For apostrofa: It was sort of implied. Some people think he was an alter ego for Kripke too. That was never really explained, just left as the great mystery of the 5 year arc lol. I go back and forth on whether he was supposed to be God or not myself. But if he was, why haven't they brought him back? Any time in the past season would have been a perfect opportunity since everyone loves Chuck.
Okay, maybe I'm imagining things again (it was a long time ago), but didn't Chuck prove to be actual God in the 5th season finale? Or maybe it was just implied...? Or maybe I'm wrong entirely... Don't know anything any more... o_O