Did You Catch “The Walking Dead” Easter Egg in “Supernatural”?
Supernatural Season 12 might be all about Mary Winchester, but that doesn’t mean Sam and Dean Winchester forgot their Negan roots.
There’s a lot to chew on (hellhound pun intended) in Supernatural‘s “Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell” episode. From the return of Dean’s attractive hellhound glasses (thank you based god), to the Winchesters’ reluctant British Men of Letters alliance, this episode did not disappoint.
However, nobody can really concentrate on the episode itself because of one little detail that threw everyone for a loop, right off the bat. (Of course this pun was intended).
Check it out:
Source: The CW
Yep, it’s Lucille.
As many Supernatural episodes do, this one started in media res, showing the boys just getting back from a killer (yes, another pun intended) string of hunts. It’s nice to see Sam and Dean’s bunker routine, since they spent so many years on the road, so we get a small look into their “normal” lives.
In a wonderful nod to Dean’s connection with his father, and earlier seasons, Sam and Dean joke about their latest weapon. Dean walks in with some sort of bat or club slung over his shoulder, and just before he slumps into a chair he takes a look at it, remarking to Sam that “Dad loved this thing”. At first, this just seems like a part of making Season 12 really about the whole Winchester family (mother AND father, not just the brothers).
After a lengthy but lovable conversation about showering, Sam being a big ol’ nerd, and ghoul guts, the boys leave the room. While fans were reeling from some quality Winchester time, the camera panned to a glorious shot of Lucille the barbed wire bat.
Source: AMC
Apparently John “Negan” Winchester didn’t just use Lucille on humans like Glenn.
As fans of The Walking Dead know, the barbed wire bat, Lucille, is villain Negan’s favorite weapon. Both Negan and the boys’ father John Winchester are played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. In Supernatural, every character is fair game and can always come back, one way or another. Death can’t keep the Winchesters from their family, but apparently AMC’s favorite villain Negan can.
Supernatural –“Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell”– SN1215b_0139.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Jared Padalecki as Sam and Angelique Rivera as Gwen Hernandez — Photo: Bettina Strauss/The CW — © 2017 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved
While the actors tease little crossovers all the time, this was a lovely cameo. Supernatural fans are called the “SPN Family” for a reason – you can never really leave SPN, and it can never really leave you. After twelve seasons, every reference and easter egg is a gift that keeps on giving, even if it loops in an entirely different show.
Was Lucille a tiny nod to John’s love for Mary?
Not to be too tinfoil hat about this, but Supernatural knows what it’s doing and often includes symbolism. In the lead-up to its first major plot arc, the show often used many visual cues to tease Dean’s role as archangel Michael’s sword. Sometimes the hidden clues point to something bigger, but sometimes they’re more subtle.
In this case, I think it’s interesting to note that Season 12 has been all about Mary Winchester. Finally, after all these years, she’s back with her boys, but without John. Her death turned John into the troubled father and crazed hunter that raised Sam and Dean. However, this season is about reminding us of past love, and wider connections than just the brothers’ point of view. From Castiel’s inclusion in the Winchester family, to Crowley’s family troubles, this season is about more than just brotherhood as family.
Supernatural –“Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell”– SN1215a_0014.jpg — Pictured: Mark Sheppard as Crowley — Photo: Dean Buscher/The CW — © 2017 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved
This Walking Dead reference broke the fourth wall, but it also reminded us of John Winchester right when Mary was on everyone’s minds. If you dig deeper into Negan’s backstory, you’ll find that Lucille is named after his dead wife. While Supernatural’s nod to AMC’s The Walking Dead was mostly a timely reference to that Glenn episode, it also coincided with this recent Negan backstory revelation in the comics.
This throws a poignant note into Negan’s development as a villain, but also draws some bittersweet parallels with John Winchester. John didn’t go totally evil, but he did change because of the untimely death of his beloved wife. Just like Negan, he used to be a normal guy (Negan was a gym teacher, and John a veteran and mechanic).
Source: The CW
It’s nice to know that the writers of cult shows like Supernatural and The Walking Dead are as invested as the fans. We’re all happy the boys have Mary back, but it’s sad to know she’ll never see John again. Maybe, in providing a little bit of zombie-themed fan service, they also reminded us what the show is truly about – love.
Next: The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 12 “Say Yes” Recap
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