The One You've Been Waiting For
- Episode aired Nov 10, 2016
- TV-14
- 41m
After learning that the soul of Adolf Hitler has been trapped in a 1930's gold pocket watch, Dean and Sam must act quickly to prevent a group of Nazi necromancers from resurrecting the Führe... Read allAfter learning that the soul of Adolf Hitler has been trapped in a 1930's gold pocket watch, Dean and Sam must act quickly to prevent a group of Nazi necromancers from resurrecting the Führer.After learning that the soul of Adolf Hitler has been trapped in a 1930's gold pocket watch, Dean and Sam must act quickly to prevent a group of Nazi necromancers from resurrecting the Führer.
- Gottfried
- (as Matthias A. Brunert)
- 8.13 Hans
- (as Nick Harrison)
- Waitress
- (uncredited)
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The story opens in Columbus, Ohio, with a violent double murder at an antique shop, as members of the Thule Society kill an elderly woman and the shop owner to reclaim the watch. Their next target is Ellie Grant, a young woman whose bloodline makes her the perfect vessel for Hitler's soul. The episode wastes little time in establishing the stakes, as Ellie is pursued through a tense chase sequence, her pursuers using her blood to track her movements. The Winchesters are drawn into the case after the murders, quickly identifying the Thule's involvement and discovering that Ellie is, unbeknownst to her, a direct descendant of Hitler's family-a revelation that upends her sense of identity and safety.
As the plot unfolds, the episode leans into classic Supernatural procedural beats: Sam and Dean interrogate suspects, rescue Ellie, and interrogate Christoph, a young Thule member whose conflicted loyalties add a layer of moral ambiguity. The brothers' dynamic is particularly strong here, with Dean's impatience and Sam's empathy playing off each other as they work to extract information from Christoph. The script injects moments of humor and banter, notably during a good cop/bad cop routine that is both tense and darkly comic. These interactions ground the episode, providing character-driven relief amid the escalating supernatural threat.
The episode escalates as the Thule succeed in capturing Ellie and begin the ritual to resurrect Hitler, using her blood and the pocket watch to transfer his soul into the body of their leader, Nauhaus. The resurrection scene is played with a mix of horror and absurdity, as Hitler emerges maniacal and unhinged, his personality exaggerated to the point of caricature. This tonal choice is deliberate, with the show opting to present Hitler as a figure of ridicule rather than menace, a decision that both defangs the historical monster and allows for a more cathartic resolution. Dean's eventual dispatching of Hitler-delivered with a memorable one-liner and a single gunshot-serves as both a punchline and a moment of narrative closure, with Dean later boasting, "I killed Hitler," to Sam's bemused disbelief.
Visually, the episode is polished, with director Nina Lopez-Corrado making effective use of shadowy interiors, cramped hideouts, and the eerie, clinical setting of the Thule's ritual chamber. Serge Ladouceur's cinematography heightens the suspense, particularly during the chase and fight sequences, while the editing by James Pickel maintains a brisk, engaging pace. The action choreography is tight, especially in the climactic shootout, and the practical effects-such as the watch's supernatural glow and the swastika-shaped incision during the ritual-add a layer of unsettling detail.
Performance-wise, the episode is anchored by strong turns from Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, whose chemistry as the Winchesters remains a highlight. Elizabeth Blackmore is convincing as Ellie, capturing the terror and confusion of an ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances. The supporting cast, particularly the actors portraying the Thule, bring a mix of menace and camp that suits the episode's pulpy tone. The character of Christoph, played with a blend of vulnerability and resentment, provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the Thule Society and the generational tensions within it.
Despite its strengths, "The One You've Been Waiting For" received mixed reviews from critics and fans. Some praised the episode's willingness to tackle a bold, outlandish premise and its return to the show's monster-hunting roots. Others found the plot predictable and the depiction of Hitler too cartoonish to be truly effective, arguing that the episode missed an opportunity to explore the deeper implications of resurrecting such a figure. The episode's pacing, while generally strong, occasionally falters in its reliance on exposition and familiar tropes, and the resolution-while satisfying on a surface level-leaves lingering questions about the consequences for Ellie and the future of the Thule Society.
Thematically, the episode grapples with questions of legacy, identity, and the banality of evil. By positioning Ellie as an unwitting descendant of Hitler, the narrative explores the idea that the past can intrude on the present in unexpected and traumatic ways. The Winchesters' insistence that she "stand and fight" rather than run is emblematic of the show's broader ethos: confronting darkness head-on, no matter how overwhelming it may seem. The episode also serves as a commentary on the persistence of hate and the importance of resisting it, even when it appears in new forms.
"The One You've Been Waiting For" taps into the enduring fascination-and horror-surrounding Nazi occultism and the specter of Hitler's legacy. By framing the Thule Society as both a supernatural threat and a metaphor for the lingering dangers of extremist ideology, the episode situates itself within a tradition of genre television that uses horror to interrogate historical trauma. The decision to treat Hitler as a figure of mockery rather than fear is a conscious one, reflecting a desire to strip him of power through ridicule, though not all viewers agreed with the effectiveness of this approach.
"The One You've Been Waiting For" is a bold, uneven, but ultimately entertaining episode that blends supernatural action with historical horror. Its strengths lie in its pacing, performances, and willingness to embrace the absurd, while its weaknesses stem from a sometimes superficial treatment of deeply serious subject matter. By dispatching Hitler with a mix of bravado and irreverence, the episode offers a cathartic, if fleeting, victory over evil. It stands as a testament to Supernatural's ability to tackle even the most outlandish stories with a mix of humor, heart, and action-reminding viewers that, in the face of darkness, sometimes the best weapon is to refuse to take evil seriously.
Did you know
- TriviaDean's line: "Nazis. I hate these guys.", is an echo of the same line from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), when Indy discovers Nazis in an Austrian castle. It's also similar to lines said by Jake in The Blues Brothers (1980): "Illinois Nazis. I hate Illinois Nazis."
- Goofs6 minutes in, Sam looks at a pile of ashes and says "guessing that's the first victim" and Dean responds "Scrooge McDuck lady?", to which Sam answers "Yeah". Actually, the male antiques dealer was the first victim. He spontaneously combusted and then the Scrooge McDuck lady grabbed the antique he dropped off the floor, then she spontaneously combusted. So she was the second victim, not the first.
- Quotes
Dean Winchester: Heil This!
[Shoots Hitler in the forehead]
Sam Winchester: Dude... You killed Hitler!
[Exit. Sam and Dean walk towards impala]
Dean Winchester: I killed Hitler. I killed Hitler. I killed Hitler. I think that entitles me to free drinks for the rest of my life. I'm gonna get t-shirts made.
- ConnectionsReferences DuckTales (1987)
- SoundtracksElectric Mistress
Performed by X-Ray Dog