Ep 20. What Is and What Should Never Be

Dean Winchester's morning doesn't start well. In the middle of a hunt, he gets badly injured by a Djinn, a creature that feeds on human flesh and blood by putting them in a coma and trapping them in their own hallucinations. When Dean wakes up, he finds himself in a world where his mother never died, his father is retired, and Sam is a lawyer who is engaged to a woman named Becky. Although he is unaware of what's happening, Dean has everything he has ever wished for.

At first, he believes his surroundings to be idyllic, but it isn't long before he starts to realize that he is trapped in an illusion. Sam, who in the real world is investigating Djinn attacks, is nowhere to be found in this world. Furthermore, Mary's death may not have occurred in Dean's dream world, but his friends still struggle; Meg, Jess and Bobby have all died, and Azazel's demonic plans will soon take shape.

As a powerful ally of Michael and Lucifer, Azazel, the Yellow-Eyed Demon, is still at large, and he has plans to bring his demon army into fruition. Now, in the dream world, Dean has to confront his biggest fear: a life void of hunting. He struggles to understand how something so perfect can be so wrong, leaving him emotionally torn. Ultimately, he decides to give up his dream and fight to return to reality, even if it means his own death.

This episode is a prime example of how ''Supernatural'' excels at exploring the internal demons of its characters. There are some amazing moments with Dean and Mary, giving a glimpse of what could have been. Jensen Ackles manages to deliver one of his strongest performances as Dean goes on an emotional journey by living through his happiest moment before coming to terms with his reality. It shows that even in the happiest dream, Dean would give it up to protect his family in the real world.

It also serves as a reminder of what Supernatural is all about- the bond between the Winchester brothers. The show thrives on its emotional complexity and the strength of its characters. Dean's fear of being alone is evident throughout the episode, which adds a layer of depth to the character. It highlights that even in his dream world, Dean realizes that his greatest happiness is when he is hunting with Sam.

Overall, ''What Is and What Should Never Be'' is an excellent episode that illustrates what makes ''Supernatural'' so compelling. It's a story of love, loss, trust, and brotherhood that reminds us that even our most precious dreams might be too good to be true. It is not just an episode showcasing Dean's greatest fear but also a character study into his psyche. This episode showcases how the show writers excel at character writing and delivering the most potent episodes in the series.