The overall episode is one of those tragicomic tales that the show does every once in awhile. It has the expected Dean humor and the Sam pathos. But it is really Sully that makes the episode. First the concept of Zanna is just wonderfully daft. it is one of the very few times a supernatural being is purely a force of good (chaotic good) in the show's long run. Add in the playfulness that Klein finds in the concept, as well as Speight Jr.'s breezy direction, and this is just fun. But above all they got the right guy to play Sully. Nate Torrence is lovable, innocent, kind, etc. such that Sully is a blithe spirit that is impossible to not love. This could have been cloying but it is moving instead.
17 Reviews
10 out of 10!
EmmaAlt3 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I absolutely loved this episode! Especially the first minutes of Sam and Dean being introduced to Sully. This scene was really well written, I loved their reactions. The whole process of Sam waking up, going after his usual morning routine and finding Sully standing behind him was great. It's always nice to get a glimpse of the Winchesters lives in the bunker. The cast was absolutely amazing as always and Richard did a great job as a director. Jensen couldn't complete his role as Dean any better this episode. The flashbacks were both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Seeing the younger versions of the brothers is always a huge thing in the fandom, especially when it comes to Sam. Sam opening up to Sully about his visions and the cage really had me in tears. It was such an emotional scene, I think I'm able to say that this conversation between Sam and Sully really touched my heart. Dean being captured was definitely an unexpected turn in this episode. The conversation between Sully and Reese was very emotional. Both actors did a great job in this scene. I loved how Dean was kind of apologizing to Sam by talking to Reese. He was clearly feeling sorry for not being there for Sam back when they were kids. Season 11 is amazing so far and we're all hooked on what's coming! 10 out of 10. Good job!
Great example for the creativity that makes Supernatural the best show
supermaggie2 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I really liked this episode. I somewhat can imagine (not understand) that some people dislike this episode since it has no "monstery" monster, but this is exactly what makes Supernatural the best show, it has no boundaries, it does not limit itself, it explores the meta-level, it bends the clichés, and in doing so it is always creative, funny, emotional, suspenseful and there is always enough gore to please the horror fans. I loved the Zannas (without ever having had an imaginary friend myself, makes someone think maybe I missed sth.), and I always enjoy to see the brothers at a young age - makes the characters even more round and deep. Way to go!
Loved this episode
billrob4583 January 2021
It was a fun way to bring reality to the idea of imaginary friends are real creatures to help struggling children. Most healthy children don't have imaginary friends, so was a warm feeling that someone is out looking for the children when their parents don't.
It isn't true, but you want it to be true.
It isn't true, but you want it to be true.
Come for the imagination, stay for the heart!
ashley_tuchin7 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I can't stress how much I adore this episode! From the beginning I knew I was in for a treat, because I love the crazy idea, usually comedic episodes. So naturally, starting off with an imaginary friend being brutally murdered had me hooked. But what elevated it to the next level was the heart that the episode and how it sneakily managed to tie in to the wider arc of the season.
Don't get me wrong, there was still plenty of the zaniness that you'd expect from the episode synopsis, but the emotional gut punches and insights into Sam's character arc really took it to new heights.
This episode would easily be in my top five so far, maybe even top three and I really hope I'll get to see more of Sully and his world.
Don't get me wrong, there was still plenty of the zaniness that you'd expect from the episode synopsis, but the emotional gut punches and insights into Sam's character arc really took it to new heights.
This episode would easily be in my top five so far, maybe even top three and I really hope I'll get to see more of Sully and his world.
Richard Speight Directs
manzekd3 January 2018
Sully Is Wonderful
andyodom-275711 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Sully is a just a small blip in the world of Supernatural but still remains one of my favorite characters. Nate Torrence is amazing in this role, he is never too much and doesn't give too little and instead let's Sully become the best friend the audience never knew they needed. His comedic timing in small moments, his compassion, the way he makes you Sam know that every word he says is heard: amazing. Absolutely a favorite of mine because of his selflessness, not just in dialogue but in just his existence. He doesn't makes excuses and doesn't try to hide from what's right and my favorite thing is that he never made Sam feel bad about becoming a hunter even though they both knew he wanted to get away. Nate Torrence made me cry in all of his gentleness and rainbow suspenders.
I laughed so hard
Ocean622-43-16756329 April 2020
Wonderfully creative episode
rich-fouts4 June 2019
Jenny Klein and the talented Richard Speight Jr teamed up to produce a terrific story of imaginary friends come to life. It's always nice to get insight into Dean and Sam's childhood relationship and how it evolved. This is the best of 11 (but they've all been good)
Creative and full of laughs.
yevettecastro16 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Richard did such a great job directing. The writing hits the nail on the head. Super creative n different. One of my fave episodes of the series. The scene where the mom is walking around in Sparkles' blood and the boys's reaction gets me everytime.
Wee Winchesters
ragirl-8228110 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This was a cute episode that provided a break in the must lock the darkness away campaign. They used the same young dean actor from a previous episode which is great for continuity. One of the few benevolent supernatural beings are the imaginary friends called zana. When sam was young he had an imaginary best friend named sully except he was real. This comes as a shock to sam and dean. All the zana in the episode are funny without the cloying acting that's used in kid scenes. Sam centric episodes are not as good as others, so the fact that it was directed by the actor that played gabriel and it was enjoyable says a lot about the great show that is supernatural.
Imaginary friends
shwetafabm4 July 2020
bad everything
dambsk805 April 2020
Best episode of S11 so far
nymoosi31 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
*** A wee bit of a spoiler below.. Caution!! *** Season 11 started off awful. I had such expectations for season 11 after 10 went off with such a bang. Although something inside me stopped me from buying S11 on iTunes and now that the show is on Netflix I can see why my gut was right.
Amara is boring, yawn, Zzz. Up till now the show has focused primarily on biblical, historic and factual data from sources. But there is nothing, anywhere were the God Almighty having a sibling. This is pure fiction which is contrary to the whole sub plot/theme of the show which sadly now is headed for the Charmed archive.
So why did I rate this episode 10/10.. read on.
And I was about to give up watching it on Netflix until I saw this episode and I just broke down.
Its heartfelt, wholesome and just plain awesome. We are now as adults (most of us) used to have an imaginary friend and this episode helped us relive the joys and pains of that childhood. Kudos to Krike.
Amara is boring, yawn, Zzz. Up till now the show has focused primarily on biblical, historic and factual data from sources. But there is nothing, anywhere were the God Almighty having a sibling. This is pure fiction which is contrary to the whole sub plot/theme of the show which sadly now is headed for the Charmed archive.
So why did I rate this episode 10/10.. read on.
And I was about to give up watching it on Netflix until I saw this episode and I just broke down.
Its heartfelt, wholesome and just plain awesome. We are now as adults (most of us) used to have an imaginary friend and this episode helped us relive the joys and pains of that childhood. Kudos to Krike.
An enjoyable episode
roadbytheriver13 February 2024
My favorite episode of season 11
Sam's emotionalism, his older brother Dean's sense of humor, and Sully's kindness are in harmony. Maybe this section may seem childish, but some such sections contribute greatly.
Seeing that the Sully character was not Sam's imaginary childhood friend, Dean's aggressive and funny reactions were quite entertaining. The idea of characters named Zanna helping lonely children was nice. I wish Sully (like Missouri in the first season) had appeared in more episodes. A very enjoyable episode focusing on Sam's childhood. Dean's explanation that Sully was there when I wasn't around my brother leaves an emotional impact.
Sam's emotionalism, his older brother Dean's sense of humor, and Sully's kindness are in harmony. Maybe this section may seem childish, but some such sections contribute greatly.
Seeing that the Sully character was not Sam's imaginary childhood friend, Dean's aggressive and funny reactions were quite entertaining. The idea of characters named Zanna helping lonely children was nice. I wish Sully (like Missouri in the first season) had appeared in more episodes. A very enjoyable episode focusing on Sam's childhood. Dean's explanation that Sully was there when I wasn't around my brother leaves an emotional impact.
"Supernatural" Hits Rock Bottom
gerrythree5 December 2015
Even for a TV series that has run out of ideas for the past five years, this episode of "Supernatural" takes the prize as the worst of the worst. "Supernatural" has gone from head chopping to torture and now to pedophilia. The story for this episode is senseless, the explanation for the events in part that you can in Romania find all sorts of magical goodies. The mopish ending must have been hard to film for the actor playing Sully, dressed in strange duds and reciting lines that were a mixture of bathos and stupidity. As for Dean and Sam Winchester, it is past tiresome to watch them frown sometimes, then look serious and finally make deep and intellectual observations like "huh!" This episode of the now failed series can best be watched as a bad example, of what happens when you mix a showrunner on drugs, actors who are bored and writers limited to copying badly story lines from other movies. The only remaining question is what happened to Sam's forehead, how did it get dented?
1 laugh
darkdementress15 October 2021
Wow this show gets worse and worse with every episode of this season more childish more cringy more awkward more dumb down more ridiculous. The camera angles the direction the acting is all so bad!! I laughed when the mom speared the blood all over her face because she had no idea what she was doing and the looks on Dean and Sam's faces was funny besides that maybe you think this is funny if you're a 10 year old. Also crossing lines about the whole family showering together and the super creepy unicorn dude.
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