The CW's fantasy drama series Supernatural had a way of evoking emotional responses from its audience through the many deaths featured in the show throughout its fifteen seasons.
While the Winchester brothers had died and been brought back to life many times on the show, the most shattering moment for all fans was Dean Winchester's memory loss sequence in Season 12.
After being cursed by a witch's spell, Dean slowly forgets the details of his life and eventually his identity in an emotional moment, which surely made every fan cry.
More on Dean Winchester's memory loss scene in Supernatural in our story.
Dean's memory loss sequence in Supernatural quickly escalated into an emotional moment
Supernatural fans were certainly not ready for an emotional Dean Winchester moment in Season 12. After seeing the brothers die and come back to life many times, the fans felt like they had seen it all because, what could be worse than death?
However, the makers proved that the show is capable of building intense emotional moments even without a character's death, as seen in the Dean Winchester memory loss sequence in Season 12, Episode 11, "Regarding Dean".
During a hunt, Dean is cursed by a witch's spell which leads to his gradual memory loss. After he manages to reach Sam, he reveals how he is having trouble remembering the events of the night. Initially, the Winchester brothers dismiss it as Dean's hangover but soon the situation escalates.
Dean forgets their case at hand, "devil baby mama drama'', the keys to his Impala, the word for lamp and even the members of his favorite band Bon Jovi. While the situation was first presented as comedic, Sam understands its severity and calls Rowena for help.
The most devastating moment comes when Dean Winchester starts to forget his own name in Supernatural. Standing in front of a mirror, he repeatedly says:
"My name is Dean Winchester. Sam is my brother. Mary Winchester is my mom. And Cass is my best friend."
With each repetition, Dean forgets even his own name and the names of his loved ones. Understanding the severity of the situation, Sam says:
"I've seen my brother die, but watching him become... not him... This might actually be worse."
Dean Winchester slowly forgetting his identity in Supernatural was even worse than his death
As expressed by Sam, witnessing Dean Winchester lose his memory and struggle to even remember his own name was heartbreaking.
Since death is not definitive in the Supernatural universe and has been done many times before, it did not have the same effect in later seasons. However, this Season 12 moment was emotional because it underscored the fact that Dean's identity as Sam's brother and a hunter is a crucial part of his being.
He remains a fan favorite character on TV for his ability as a hunter and his identity, which was slightly slipping away. Since this was the first time the series portrayed an incoherent and weak Dean, it was a difficult watch.
Dean's death in the Supernatural finale, although difficult to witness, was necessary to provide a natural conclusion to his character. However, shredding away his identity still remains one of the most emotional Dean moments on the show.
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