Supernatural season 15 ending explained: What happened to Dean and Sam Winchester?

Supernatural season 15, the final season of the beloved show, marked the conclusion of Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester’s (Jensen Ackles) 15-year-long journey.

Fans were excited about Supernatural season 15, which debuted on October 10, 2019, but it also suffered a protracted hiatus owing to COVID-19 production delays. The brothers' monster-hunting exploits came to a mixed conclusion on November 19, 2020, on the finale.

Supernatural's storyline revolved around Sam and Dean, the Winchester brothers, and their struggle against both divine and supernatural forces. The series looked at challenging themes, including family, fate, and sacrifice, over fifteen seasons.

Overcoming insurmountable challenges to save the earth, the brothers battled gods, demons, angels, and monsters. Jack, the son of Lucifer, dominated the last season; he finally replaced God and changed the earth.

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Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers from Supernatural season 15. Reader's discretion is advised.

The Supernatural season 15 finale, titled Carry On, brought the series to an emotional close. Dean Winchester dies while fighting a group of vampires, and his brother Sam continues living his life.

Dean is welcomed in heaven by Bobby Singer, while Sam finds peace and raises a son. The Winchesters are finally reunited in the afterlife, concluding their story with a touching and heartwarming reunion.

The end of the road in Supernatural season 15: What happened to Dean Winchester?

A still from Supernatural season 15 episode 20 (Image via Prime Video)

Supernatural season 15 ended with tension, emotion, and nostalgia. After defeating vampires, the Winchesters faced the greatest tragedy. An apparent minor injury kills Dean Winchester while fighting. In the series' most heartbreaking moment, Dean dies from a rebar stab wound that punctures his back. This injury is not immediately fatal, but Dean dies from his wounds.

Dean's death in the last minutes is a subdued and emotional one. Unable to save his brother, Sam stays with him while Dean passes in his arms. As Dean tells Sam he is proud of him and Sam assures his brother it is normal to go, their farewell is full of love and compassion.

Before Dean dies, the brothers share a last moment of affection. Dean's death marks the end of his protracted struggle, and his life as a hunter comes to an end in a moment that is both sad and fitting for his nature.

Dean's death affected the show and his character. He repeatedly avoided death in the series. A small, unexpected injury killed him in his final moments. Dean died fighting to protect the innocent, demonstrating his dedication to his life.

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What happened to Sam Winchester?

After Dean's death, Supernatural shifts focus to Sam Winchester. As the lone surviving Winchester brother, Sam is left to carry on without his sibling. In the aftermath of his brother’s death, Sam is seen mourning but ultimately finding a way to move forward with his life. In a series of poignant flash-forwards, viewers witness Sam growing older and leaving behind his life as a monster hunter.

Sam embraces a domestic life, one he had longed for but never had the chance to experience while hunting monsters. He becomes a father to a son, whom he names after Dean, symbolizing the continuation of the Winchester legacy.

While the identity of his wife remains unknown, the emotional montage, set to the song Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas, shows Sam finding peace, growing old, and eventually dying with his son by his side. The death of Sam comes many years after Dean’s, with Sam passing peacefully, having lived a full life away from the hunter’s path.

Sam's journey following Dean's death marks the pinnacle of his character's development. Away from the violence and anarchy of hunting, he had always wanted a normal life; Supernatural provides that opportunity.

Old and content, Sam's final death reflects the natural development of his character, who had spent so much time looking for peace and normalcy among the turbulent realm of supernatural conflicts. Sam was a reluctant hunter with dreams of a different future in his early years, so this life stands in sharp contrast.

The afterlife: Reunited in heaven

Sam continues his life on Earth, but Dean's path leads him to heaven, which Jack, the new God, has changed. Jack's metamorphosis of heaven into a serene, perfect paradise offers Dean the hereafter he has always yearned for.

Dean is greeted in a lovely and calm environment by one of his closest friends, Bobby Singer, and the two drink beer together, remembering the better times. Now a utopia, heaven provides Dean rest and peace following a life of strife and sacrifice.

Dean’s experience in heaven is not without its emotional moments. As he adjusts to his new life, he notices his beloved Impala waiting for him, a symbol of his life's journey and a comfort in the afterlife.

Dean’s reunion with Bobby is heartfelt, as they share stories and enjoy each other’s company. Dean is given the opportunity to drive his Impala once more, but this time, the road is celestial, and the journey is one of peace and reflection.

The most important moment is when Dean drives through heaven and sees Sam again. In heaven, time moves differently, and Dean has found peace, while Sam has lived fully on earth. Dean meets Sam on a bridge resembling the pilot episode, and the brothers reconcile. Finally united, the Winchesters embrace in the afterlife, ending their long journey.

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A fitting conclusion for the Winchesters

The Supernatural finale, while divisive among fans, provided a conclusion that stayed true to the series' central themes of family, sacrifice, and brotherhood. The heart of the show was always Sam and Dean's relationship, and the finale guaranteed that their bond would be remembered.

Though sad, Dean's death let Sam live the life he always wanted, and their final reunion in heaven was a moving way to end their tale.

The lessons the show taught about family and sacrifice also help to define its legacy beyond the characters. The Winchesters always had each other even though they faced unthinkable difficulties over the years.

Supernatural's conclusion was evidence of their close relationship—that they would never be apart, even in the next world. At peace, the Winchesters' tale concludes with them having confronted their literal and symbolic demons.

Also Read: Fact check: Is Supernatural getting a new spin-off on Sam and Dean Winchester?

Stay tuned for more updates on Supernatural season 15 and previous seasons.

About the author

Rajan is an Entertainment Writer at Sportskeeda with previous experience of 6 years in writing about the genre. While he has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Application, it was his passion for the domain that led him to pursue a career in the field. He firmly believes that research is key when reporting on any topic, and glances through a wide array of articles to produce informative and accurate content.

Rajan admires Robert Downey Jr., Bob Dylan, and John Mayer since he feels they are the best at their trade. He is passionate about music and has had the opportunity to interact with popular Bollywood music directors A. R. Rahman, Pritam and Vishal-Sekhar.

If he could go back in time, he would jump at the opportunity to be part of Coldplay's hit track, 'A Sky Full of Stars.'

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Edited by Somava