Supernatural Season 4 premiere: From Winchesters to Team Free Will

Supernatural Season 4, Episode 1 turns 11 years old today. Let’s take a look back at the turning point from Winchesters to Team Free Will.

It’s been 11 years since Supernatural Season 4 premiered for the first time. This was the turning point of the series, moving on from two brothers hunting ghosts and monsters. We started the journey into Team Free Will.

This episode was never supposed to be that transformation, though. When Season 4 first began, Castiel was just there for a few episodes. Anna Milton was supposed to take the role that Castiel would eventually gain. However, the fans spoke up. So many adored Castiel that Eric Kripke and co. decided to keep him in.

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To be honest, Castiel’s introduction did make it clear that this should be an angel to stay. It was powerful, memorable, and will always go down as one of the (if not the) greatest introductions on the series of all time. He didn’t even need to say anything, but that gravelly voice certainly didn’t hurt matters.

From this point, Castiel and Dean would share a bond that couldn’t be broken. Demons have tried to break them apart. Hey, even the writers have tried to separate them, but it’s never stuck. I’m sure it won’t in Supernatural Season 15 once both move past their own opinions on how to deal with Jack.

“Lazurus Rising” – (clockwise) Jensen Ackles as Dean, Traci Dinwiddie as Pamela Barnes, Jim Beaver as Bobby, Jared Padalecki as Sam in SUPERNATURAL on the CW.Photo credit: Sergei Bachlakov©2008 THE CW NETWORK, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. /

The moment Castiel gripped Dean tight and raised him from perdition, the trajectory of their bond was set. Whether you believe Destiel is real or not, there’s no denying that there is some sort of bond between them. It really is that simple.

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If it wasn’t for the Season 4 premiere, there’s no way we’d have what we do now. I’m not even sure there would still be a series if I’m totally honest. While it started with the Winchesters, the series has grown to something bigger than that. The Winchesters’ family has grown considerably from the time they just thought it was the two of them against the world.

The premiere also set the tone for the season. No longer would we see the monster-of-the-week episodes every single week. There were going to be the focus on the overall storyline. This moment 11 years ago changed everything—and for the better.

Ranking the Supernatural Season 4 episodes from worst to best. dark. Next

Does the Season 4 premiere still hold up for you? What did it mean for you the first time watching it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Supernatural Season 15 premieres on Oct. 15 at 8/7c on The CW.

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