Oh, Sammy. The poor guy gets a bum rap on Supernatural sometimes. First we learn that he's supposed to go evil as one of Azazel's special children, then he's Lucifer's vessel, then he has to go to Hell to save the world, then he gets pulled out of Hell soulless and now he's going crazy after remembering Hell. In other words, Sam Winchester can't catch a break. And, sure, he occasionally acts like a total jerk towards his brother, and God knows he's not as pretty a crier, but he doesn't deserve everything that's happened to him.
Tonight's episode of Supernatural is a Sam-centric one that will delve into his past as a teenager. In honor of this special episode, I've decided to put together my favorite Sam Winchester moments. I'm a self-admitted DeanGirl, but I've been known to be partial to Sam from time to time.
The best Sam Winchester scenes, in my opinion, are both funny and sad. Sure, Jensen Ackles is perfection at physical comedy, but when you give Jared Padalecki a funny scene, he can nail it too. And while we've admitted Padalecki is not a pretty crier, he certainly tugs at my heartstrings from time to time.
To view the best Sam Winchester scenes, click the arrows above. Did we miss your favorite scene? Let us know in the comments below.
Don't miss an all new episode of Supernatural tonight on The CW. And read what Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki told us about season 7 on our recent visit to the set.
Sam Kills Madison (Episode 2.17 "Heart"). Sammy is not a pretty crier, but neither were we during this scene!
Sammy's Drunk (Episode 2.11 "Playthings"). "You're bossy. And short". Enough said.
Sam Vows to Save Dean (Episode 2.22 "All Hell Breaks Loose 2"). Dean's the stronger, protective big brother, but Sam is horrified to learn that Dean sacrificed his own life in order to save his brother. This is another heartbreaking moment between the brothers and Sam tugs at our heartstrings when he tells Dean it's as much his job to protect him as vice versa.
Dean's Version of Sam's Story (Episode 2.15 "Tall Tales"). Because Sammy Winchester is "too precious for this world". Utterly ridiculous and hilarious.
Sam Calls John for Help (Episode 1.12 "Faith"). We love the heartbreaking desperation in his voice. For as long as we can remember, John and Dean have been the ones who take care of Sam, but this was his moment to step up and help his big brother.
Sam Exercising (Episode 6.03 "The Third Man"). You all know why it's on this list.
Sam Fights With John (Episode 1.20 "Dead Man's Blood"). Sam doesn't always spend a lot of time center stage, but when he's forceful, it can be awesome. Case in point is late season 1, when he finally stood up to his overbearing father. Hot.
Sam Struggles to Save Dean (Episode 6.22 "The Man Who Knew Too Much"). This scene strikes me as one that defines the brothers' relationship perfectly. After waking up from his coma and remembering everything about Hell, Sam still manages to stumble his way to save his brother.
Sam and Dean Try to Act (Episode 6.15 "The French Mistake"). I'm going to go ahead and call this the funniest scene ever in Supernatural's history. Ackles was hilarious at playing Dean in it, but Padalecki stole the show with Sam's weird hand movements.
Sam Goes to Hell (Episode 5.22 "Swan Song"). This is a very big Sam episode, but my favorite scene with him is at the very end, when he manages to wrestle control from Lucifer and jump into Hell. Moments before that happens, he looks over at Dean with both fear and resolution in his eyes. This broke my heart.
Sam Tells Dean He Believes In Him (Episode 5.18 "Point of No Return"). This is a big Dean episode, but Sam has a lot of good moments. He spends a lot of this episode desperately trying to keep things under control. But one of the best scenes is when he tells Dean that he believes he will do the right thing simply because Dean is his big brother who hasn't let him down yet.
Sam Meets Young John & Mary (Episode 5.13 "The Song Remains the Sam"). This is another touching Sam moment. Sam had never met his mother before and his reaction to seeing a younger version of her (and John) was heartbreaking. Padalecki played this scene brilliantly.
Soulless Sam Has No Empathy (Episode 6.09 "Clap Your Hands If You Believe"). A lot of people didn't like Soulless Sam, but you have to admit that the guy was hilarious. This episode in particular featured multiple scenes where we learned that a Sam lacking empathy could actually be funny. Especially his reaction to Dean getting abducted (which included ordering more drinks as Dean ran from the "aliens"). And, of course, there's the "do you have bigger cups?" line. Priceless.
Herpes Commercial & Crotch Maiming (Episode 5.08 "Changing Channels"). Poor Sammy gets beaten on a lot in this hilarious episode, but the two standout moments are his absolute abhorrence to starring in a herpes medication commercial and getting kicked in the crotch on a Japanese game show.
Sam Wins a Fight (Episode 4.21 "When The Levee Breaks"). I was as pissed at everyone else at the choices Sam made in this episode and the season 4 finale, but it was awesome finally watching him beat his big brother in a fight, wasn't it? Awesome, but heartbreaking.
Alternate Universe Sam Quits His Job (Episode 4.17 "It's a Terrible Life"). This is a terrific episode in general, but my favorite Sam moment has to be when he smashed his phone and then quit his job. Because who among us hasn't dreamed of doing the exact same thing in reaction to the incessant ringing of telephones? Plus, the view while he's wearing those khakis certainly doesn't hurt either.
Little Sammy Beats Up a Bully (Episode 4.13 "After School Special"). How adorable and awesome is Colin Ford as a young Sam who beats up a bully?
Sam Meets Castiel For the First Time (Episode 4.07 "It's the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester"). This is a tiny moment, but I love Sam's first meeting with Castiel. He's so incredibly overwhelmed to be meeting an actual angel that he completely stumbles over his words. Then there's that totally uncomfortable moment when he tries to shake Cas' hand and the angel just stares at him. This scene always reminds me of the scene in episode 6.12 where Cas goes to hug Sam after he gets his soul back, but Sam rebukes him. I love the somewhat awkward relationship between these two.
Becky Breaks Up with Sam (Episode 4.09 "The Real Ghostbusters"). I absolutely love this scene. Not only is Becky hilarious, but the fact that Sam plays along when she "breaks up" with him is priceless.
Sam's Reaction to Dean's Scream (Episode 4.06 "Yellow Fever"). I know, this episode is basically a showcase for Dean. But I love Sam's reaction to all of the crazy stuff Dean does in this episode. Case in point is his reaction to Dean's girly scream after being scared by a cat. We know from the gag reel that Padalecki cracked up in reaction to Ackles' shrieking (who wouldn't?), but Sam's reaction in the actual episode is priceless.
Sam as Lucifer (Episode 4.04 "The End"). Padalecki is terrific in this scene and plays Lucifer with the detachment and gravitas that the character deserves.
Sam Goes Crazy (Episode 3.11 "Mystery Spot"). Dean may have been dying over and over, but this episode belongs to Sam. Padalecki was not only hilarious at his reaction to a live-action version of "Groundhog Day", but he was also excellent at playing a stoic Sam who had to live six months after it appeared that Dean had died for real.
Sam Makes Christmas for Dean (Episode 3.08 "A Very Supernatural Christmas"). There are so many scenes in season 3 that break my heart, because Sam is absolutely desperate to save his brother. One of the most memorable is in this special episode. Sam already admitted that he didn't want to celebrate Christmas knowing that it would be his last with Dean. But in the end, he came through for his brother and the boys spent the holidays together. It was one of the most touching brotherly moments ever.
Sam Kills Gordon (Episode 3.07 "Fresh Blood"). Sammy Winchester is badass. That is all.
Sam Kills the Crossroads Demon (Episode 3.05 "Bedtime Stories"). This is an awesome ending to what was otherwise a mediocre episode. Like I said before, Sam can be an awesome badass when the situation calls for it. The best part of this scene is at the very end, when it looks like Sam will let the Crossroads Demon live because there's nothing she can do to get Dean out of his deal. But then he shoots her in the head. Awesome.
Clumsy Sam (Episode 3.03 "Bad Day at Black Rock"). I absolutely adore how funny Unlucky Sam is. From tripping over the most innocent of objects to his little boy face at losing his shoe, Padalecki was terrific at playing cursed Sam.
Possessed Sam (Episode 2.14 "Born Under a Bad Sign"). This is a terrific episode for Sam, where he's acting all evil long before Soulless Sam ever came into our lives. From his tense scene with Jo in the bar to the way he beat up on his brother, Sam showed us that the creepy version of himself can also be awesome.
"I lost my shoe" is my all-time favourite Sam moment. I also love the scenes in Fresh Blood when Sam tells Dean "I know you because my whole life I have looked up to you and tried to be like you…I just want my brother back." And then at the end the look on his face when Dean teaches him auto mechanics 101. And also the scenes in the season 6 finale when soulless Sam and normal Sam are duking it out. There was such an amazing contrast between the shark eyes and the puppy dog eyes.
Excellent list! The only other Sam Winchester moment I would add is from 'Fresh Blood' (3×07) where Sam asks Dean to quit pretending that he's not afraid of dying and to just be his brother again "just 'cause." That is one of my absolute favorite moments in all of Supernatural. It's one of the few times Sam called Dean on his crap, and Padalecki does that teary-eyed thing so well. He makes me tear up when he tears up.
Ask anybody and they'll tell you that I'm a very emotional person – but I'm not a crier. I don't know what it is, but I rarely every cry, no matter how upset I may be. Yet, this show somehow, time and time again, draws the tears from my eyes in buckets. Both brothers can do it, even Cas, and don't get me started on Bobby. I own the DVD's and I've seen the episodes over and over, but it doesn't matter how many times I've seen them, I still cry. It's very cathartic.
Another scene that's missing is from Heart. Tell me you didn't cry along with Sam when he has to shoot Madison, the first girl since losing Jess that he's cared about. (And yes, Dean's single man-tear for his brother was heart breaking too.)
And Sam as Lucifer in season 6 when he just blinks and the demons die? So awesome.
I never cry during tv shows or movies, but I admit it, I cried. That was heartbreaking.
I'm not a big crier either, but I swear I boo-hoo'd like nobody's business at the end of Heart. And at the end of AHBL Pt. 1.
I did cry! I always meant to include the scene from "Heart" but was rushing to get this done before attending the Supernatural convention in Toronto while still recovering from my Vancouver set visit. I added it in later :)
Season 5 I mean, not 6
Awesome list! But a Sammy Slideshow could not be complete without at least one bitchface–the exaggerated one from Tall Tales when Dean is making out with the blonde in the bar would do nicely. Also, any time Sam is manhandling a woman, like in Unforgiven when he scoops her up and propels her clear across the bathroom. (Maypoles of Hoodietime once said she loves that Dean is all gentle and tender and Sam is all Grrr!Wallsmashy when it comes to sex. I love it too, especially since it's the opposite of what you might expect.)
THIS!! That bitch face was just the best! Also, that sex scene … well any sex scene with him is hot ;)
I love all of those (except the one where Sam beats up Dean, that left me feeling completely gutted.) I also love the scene where Sam is all doped up and restrained and getting gooey on Dean in "Sam, Interrupted." And in last week's episode, the scene in the warehouse when he doesn't know what's real and false, who's Dean and who's Lucifer–he was so poignant and moving in that scene. Both boys knocked it out of the park, one of the best brotherly moments ever.
Oh yeah, last weeks scene in the warehouse – one of the best Sam moments ever!! Jared did a great job, but just seeing how Sam is reacting and dealing with this break in his noggin' is amazing. That look on his face while he's holding the gun on Dean – shock, fear, awe, despair – simply amazing.
Great list! Probably would have been better if that "Follow us on Twitter" pop up didn't come up every single page. And the line at the bottom, "Don't worry! We won't ask you again!" indeed… 27 times… Sam as Lucifer in "The End"… AWESOME! He pulled off the creep factor as well as any other actor! And being cursed with bad luck… "I lost my shoe!" The look on his face was PRICELESS!
Great list. Sam does put on heart strings at times, But Dean pulls on my everything All the time.<3
One of my favorites is the knife fight sequence with all of the demons in 99 problems. Want to see Sam being a badass? Hnngh.
Fab list :) I miss the scene where he has to shoot Madison though, and the detox scene in Bobby's panic room.
Some good choices but I have to argument about something: Possessed Sam isn't Sam. So when he's Lucifer or when he was Meg, he wasn't actually Sam, so those don't count as Sam Winchester moments. They can count as great acting moments by Jared Padalecki, but not actually Sam Winchester moments.
There is one episode that I think needs to be added to the list (if I really sat down and went through all the episodes over the now seven seasons I'm sure I'd come up with more but for now…). In the second season episode "What Is and What Should Never Be" there are two great moments with Sam. The first is when Sam gets into the car determined to go with his brother and Dean calls him a "Bitch" in their normal brotherly way, but in this universe it comes across all wrong to Sam and the look on Sam's face always makes me giggle. The other is when they are in the warehouse with the djinn and it's the combination of alterna-Sam who is asking Dean to stay and die and the quick switch to real Sam who is desperately trying to save his brother. This is another case where the episode is a heavy Dean episode, but has great Sam moments.
I don't know if it's the less time in front of the camera, the lack of the burden of carrying an episode, or the desire to go big when you don't have to be center stage that gives these two actors some of the best moments in episodes that don't feature them heavily. Some of the Sam-centric episodes have some of the best Dean moments like the end of "All Hell Breaks Loose Part 1" (just thinking about it makes me cry) or in "Heart" when Dean is less than tactful about Madison and Sam and at the end on his close-up when Sam shoots her – to name a few. The slide show pointed out a few of the great Sam moments in Dean-centric episodes and the lists go on and on. I'm grateful to the actors, directors, and writers, who find these moments to highlight in the episodes that always impress me and keep both characters as driving forces throughout.
WOW awesome list Clarissa,,
so many episodes and so many moments and you include all the good ones
there are a scenes that I didn't remember, wow those years Sam fighting with his dad so long time ago….
Sam in giving Dean a Christmas, I cried in that scene (well just a little :P )
Thanks Clarissa great great list
GREAT list, Clarissa!! I agree with them all. But there's one more scene I would add: Sam's reaction to the real Bella after daydreaming about having sex with her – - he's tongue-tied and so helplessly awkward – hilarious! I'm sorry, I forget which episode it was, but maybe someone else will remember.
Lisa, its in Season 3, Dream a little dream of me.
John wasn't overbearing. EVeryone seems to want to make him out this evil overlord when the truth was he was a grief stricken single father doing the best he could. Sam was the jerk in that ep. In fact he was selfish and self involved in a number of eps like Shadow not caring his father and brother were badly injured just that he gets to fight the guy who killed his girlfriend completely forgetting that he and his brother were used as bait for John and John and Dean were hurt or that the sob killed his mom long before 'poor' Jessie. For a Hunters son he was fairly well protected from the big bad world. Only when he began to see just how much John and Dean had protected him from did he stop being such a douche. He believes John did all of this for Mary when the truth was it was for Sam. Mary died only because she interupted Azazel meaning whatever murdered her had wanted Sam. John did what he did to protect Sam and hopefully keep him from being traumatized at a young age like Dean.