Survival of the Fittest

The overall finale of the season is engaging. Dean and Cas making peace is touching. The car porn with the Impala returning is exciting. Even the central game of whether Crowley is going to betray them is fun. But the show never fully embraces the leviathans as stand in for corporations. The critique of capital is too muted and they should have gone further with the material.

The season overall is much stronger than season 6. It has a clearer storyline and a stronger sense of where it was going. The season has a few throwbacks to earlier years and they don't get bogged down in the Leviathans all that much. This is a solid season. I don't know if Gamble continued to be the show runner where it would have ended up but her two years are better than the first season and there was a mark improvement between seasons 6 and 7. The show had a more interpersonal vibe with Gamble. Whether it was Lisa-Ben or Bobby-as-spirit there was a stress on the personal over the mythical that I rather liked.

Average episode score: 8.0869

Best 3 episodes

1. Death's Door 2. Time After Time 3. The Girl with the Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo

Worst 3 episodes

21. The Slice Girls 22. Defending Your Life 23. Adventures in Babysitting

In retrospective upon re-watching the show I can say that I truly underappreciated this season in particular. I believe my memories were mostly altered because of the following seasons. Leviathans storyline being cheesy at times turned out to be complete and less forced around the edges than it seemed.

The ending was a bit rushed but perfectly executed, the consequences for the characters were kind of a transitional forced line that marked the end of the main story that once used to be all about brothers living their hunters' lives: saving people, hunting things, family business (in a natural and consecutive manner). Now in season 8 and so on we mostly get supernatural stuff in cheap writing of forced storylines.

"Survival of the Fittest," the twenty-third and final episode of Supernatural's seventh season, directed by Robert Singer and written by Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin, delivers a climactic and emotionally charged conclusion to one of the series' most ambitious arcs. With Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) facing off against Dick Roman (James Patrick Stuart) and the Leviathans, the episode balances action-packed sequences with poignant character moments. While it ties up major plot threads, it also sets the stage for the next season with a shocking cliffhanger that leaves viewers eager for more.

The narrative begins with Sam and Dean preparing for their final confrontation with Dick Roman, armed with the weapon forged from a righteous bone washed in blood from an angel, an Alpha creature, and Crowley (Mark Sheppard). As they infiltrate Sucrocorp, Dick's corporate headquarters, they rely on Castiel (Misha Collins), Meg (Rachel Miner), and Kevin Tran (Osric Chau) to assist in their mission. Meanwhile, Bobby Singer's (Jim Beaver) ghost continues to struggle with vengeful rage, leading to a heartbreaking resolution as the brothers are forced to release him from his tether to the mortal plane. The tension escalates as Dean confronts Dick Roman in a climactic showdown that results in Dick's explosive death-but not without consequences, as Dean and Castiel are mysteriously transported to Purgatory.

Robert Singer's direction expertly balances high-stakes action with quieter emotional beats. The cinematography contrasts the sterile corporate environment of Sucrocorp with the dark and eerie visuals of Purgatory, creating a stark visual dichotomy that underscores the episode's themes of survival and sacrifice. The editing is sharp and precise, maintaining a brisk pace while allowing key moments-such as Bobby's farewell-to resonate deeply. However, some critics have noted that certain subplots, such as Kevin's capture by Crowley, feel slightly rushed amidst the chaos.

Jensen Ackles delivers a standout performance as Dean, whose determination to stop Dick Roman is tempered by his grief over Bobby's loss and his growing frustration with Castiel's reluctance to engage fully in their fight. Jared Padalecki shines as Sam, particularly in his interactions with Bobby's ghost; his emotional vulnerability adds depth to his character arc. Misha Collins portrays Castiel with a mix of whimsy and guilt, highlighting his ongoing struggle to reconcile his actions from earlier seasons. James Patrick Stuart exudes charisma and menace as Dick Roman, solidifying his status as one of Supernatural's most memorable antagonists.

The episode explores sacrifice and redemption through its depiction of Bobby's ghostly arc and Dean's willingness to risk everything to stop Dick Roman. Bobby's decision to ask Sam and Dean to burn his flask serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of vengeance-a recurring theme throughout Season 7. The episode also delves into loyalty and trust as Sam and Dean navigate their alliances with Crowley and Castiel while grappling with their own doubts about their ability to succeed.

One of the episode's most memorable moments occurs during Bobby's farewell scene. As he acknowledges that lingering as a ghost has made him dangerous to those he loves, his request for release is both heartbreaking and cathartic. Another standout sequence involves Dean driving the Impala straight into Sucrocorp as part of their infiltration plan-a thrilling callback to earlier seasons that underscores the brothers' resourcefulness.

"Survival of the Fittest" is a fitting finale that delivers on its promise of high-stakes drama while providing closure for key character arcs. Its exploration of sacrifice, loyalty, and redemption adds depth to its action-driven narrative while setting up intriguing possibilities for Season 8. Though some elements could have been more fully developed-such as Kevin's role in Crowley's plans-the episode succeeds in balancing emotional weight with thrilling spectacle. By intertwining personal loss with cosmic stakes, "Survival of the Fittest" challenges viewers to reflect on what it means to fight for survival-and at what cost.