Why did they make Sam die of old age in Supernatural?

Sam Winchester’s (Jared Padalecki) death in Carry On, the finale of Supernatural, concludes his character arc by granting his long-held wish of leading an ordinary life. Unlike his brother, Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), who despite occasionally yearning for normalcy, embraced the hunter’s life, Sam remained determined to leave behind the chaos of these mythical creatures.

Spanning 15 seasons, Eric Kripke's dark-fantasy drama Supernatural aired between 2005-2020. It blends the genres of horror and mythology and has its characters explore the themes of mortality and fate, family and sacrifice. Sam’s death in his old age is a narrative choice that aligns with his personal journey and the show’s central ideas.

Why did they make Sam die of old age in Supernatural?

A senior at Stanford, Sam Winchester is on track to pursue a career in Law at the start of Supernatural. He lives with his partner Jessica (Adrianne Palicki), and secretly dreams of marrying her. Sam has a concrete idea of what he wants his future to be like. He envisions a stable job, a home, and a family - a life that is far removed from the uncertainty of his childhood. Determined to leave the paranormal behind, Sam sets out to build a life of his own.

However, law school remains an unrealized dream. Sam ultimately spends years of his life as a hunter beside his brother Dean, chasing after the supernatural. His initial reluctance to embrace a hunter’s life gradually fades as the seasons progress.

Sam and Dean live through incredibly dangerous situations, repeatedly sacrificing themselves during their brushes with supernatural forces. Sam’s death as an old man with photographs littered behind and his son right beside, is aimed at closure and fulfillment. Sam, in his old age, has finally escaped the cycle of death, violence, and sacrifice that has followed him consistently.

Sam Winchester’s final moments

The series finale has Dean in heaven, driving off in his iconic 1967 Chevrolet Impala, while Sam gradually ages before the viewer’s eyes. With Kansas’ iconic ‘Carry On Wayward Son’, playing in the background, Sam finally lives a life he had once wished for.

Sam is seen taking walks in the park with his son Dean, whom he names in honor of his beloved brother. In another heartwarming scene, Sam who has grown older plays catch with his son while his wife watches them from their porch. The years pass in an instant as a teenage Dean works on his homework with Sam sitting right beside, helping him. Their walls are filled with photographs and years of memories.

A grey-haired Sam climbs into his brother’s Impala. The passage of time is obvious as he grips the steering wheel and sits in quiet reflection. In his final moments, an elderly Sam lies in a hospital bed and he has lived a long life. His son gently grips his hands and reassures him with a gentle, “It’s okay. You can go now.”

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Sam’s end versus Dean’s fate

Dean foreshadows his own fate in the series’ final moments. To Sam he says, “You knew it was always gonna end like this for me. It was supposed to end like this, right? I mean look at us. Saving people, hunting things, it’s what we do.” With his numerous trysts with death, he has grown to expect his end to be violent.

His death is a stark contrast against Sam’s. The creators have respected his earlier desires of being able to live a normal life away from all the tragedy, even though Dean’s passing has undoubtedly burdened and followed him through his life.

While Dean’s death is a testament to the devastating end of a hunter’s life, Sam’s long life serves as a wishful yet possible alternative. Supernatural, despite being a show about fantastical creatures, at its core, it’s also about the importance of family and one’s destiny.

As Sam grows old on Earth, Dean’s drive through heaven proves Bobby’s words true. Time up there is indeed different. The brothers finally reunite on the bridge Sam stops his car at, bringing the series to a close. Within a show that thrives on chaos, the ending is a rare moment of respite.

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