A subtle shift in Sam’s story 12 years ago changed Supernatural forever

From the beginning, Supernatural has focused on the bond shared between the brothers. For a significant portion of the show’s run, Sam Winchester was labeled as the heart of the show. The struggles he faced, his reluctance toward the supernatural call of the abyss, and the changing dynamics with Dean were the multi-layered essence of the series. But starting from Season 9, that equilibrium changed, and most fans, at that time, did not notice.

The series somehow mutedly removed Sam from his usual role about 12 years ago. No elaborate showdown of dialogue or theatrical decision on character arcs was made – rather, it was a soft marketing choice of sorts. In the narrative and visual depiction of Supernatural, Sam was important for both. They replaced him in one of the season nine posters metaphorically, and for Sam, he may have looked the same. Supernatural is popular, but this idiocy with marketing is not.

The change that was made was not simply a clever visual change; it represented a shift in the show’s treatment of Sam’s identity, agency, and place within the mythos. In addition to focusing on angels and deception in Season 9, there was, however, a shift in themes that was introduced: Sam Winchester no longer had full control over the narrative of his life.

Sam’s presence was muted by design

Right from the beginning of the series, Sam and Dean were equal—two halves of the same whole. Even during conflict, Sam's existence continued to be extremely impactful within the narrative's framework. However, before Season 9, something shifted. One of the advertising posters revealed a variant of Jared Padalecki’s character: the same face but different shadow. Sam’s outline, unlike the rest of the characters, came with the addition of angel wings.

That poster showed what the season would later confirm: it wasn’t Sam at all. It was Gadreel, the angel, who deceived Sam in the guise of an angel. While the show did not make a big deal out of this change of identity, the poster hinted at the reveal. It was a bold yet understated choice—the kind that illustrates the lack of will for Sam even before the pilot aired.

Season 9 redefined who was really in control

Trending

What made this shift so meaningful was not simply Sam being possessed; it was the fact that he was completely unaware of it. After enduring the relentless Demon Trials in Season 8, which brought him to the brink of death, Dean made a hasty decision to allow an angel to occupy Sam’s body so he could heal him. A minor issue? Sam never fully agreed. Gadreel masked his identity, infiltrated Sam's consciousness, and seized control from the inside. In an instant, Sam's narrative ceased to be his.

The season delved into the consequences of being used, being kept in the dark, and even self-questioning. For the followers of Sam’s progression from a Stanford pupil to an apocalypse survivor, this facet of lack of control was experienced on a different level. It was not graceful or boisterous, but was sober and frightening. Looking back, it marked a distinct change in Supernatural’s tone, which would be felt throughout the remaining episodes of the show.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback