This is one of the eps Chuck apologizes for. And the boys get the tattoos off-screen right before Jus In Bello.

I'm trying to remember when we learn that he was a mechanic -- has to be in S1's Home, when they go to the garage where he used to work.

Thanks. I totally missed that in Home.

So the tats happened that completely offscreen? And then Dean goes and gets another one after being rehymenated.

I think we're supposed to believe Castiel left it there, because it's there when he looks in the mirror in Lazarus Rising.

it's there when he looks in the mirror in Lazarus Rising.

Well, that's awful nice of him, but it means I need to go looking for screenshots.

Oh, well.

No, the rehymenation didn't affect the tattoo. When he pulls his shirt up in the gas station, you can see the tat's still there.

I'm watching Salvation right now. I popped the disk in to watch the Special Features, but the episodes called louder.

it means I need to go looking for screenshots

How sad for you! I'm so sorry.

It was very traumatic!

Actually, it was, because all the good-sized pictures were on flickr and photobucket which are blocked from work. But then I looked on my phone and saw the evidence with mine own eyes.

Is this site for screencaps available, ita? Just for future reference. You know, in case.

Clearly I'm not very good at the staying de-lurked thing, but ita's list request was impossible to resist. *waves to everyone sheepishly*

Like Beverly I find there's something to love in every episode, but...I restricted myself to five per season and came up with this in aired order not preference order:

Season One - I think part of what I loved in the first season was Sam remapping his feelings about Dean from those of an angry adolescent to something that is much deeper and complicated.

• Dead in the Water - Big brother Dean and Lucas saving, Sam learning (or finally understanding) something about his brother
• Skin – Serial Killer not!Dean and Sam learning (or finally understanding) something about his brother
• Faith – Dying Dean, fiercely protective Sam and Sam learning (or finally understanding) something about his brother
• Something Wicked – Dean guilt and Sam learning (or finally understanding) something about his brother
• Devil’s Trap – the Winchesters in the cabin – every minute of it

Season Two -This season is near perfect for me and it was difficult to pick just five.

• In My Time of Dying – Dying Dean, fiercely protective Sam
• Crossroad Blues - Dean's conversation with the Crossroads Demon
• Nightshifter - badass bank job
• Born Under a Bad Sign – fierce not!Sam, Dean won’t shoot
• What is and What Should Never Be – Guh. Possibly my favorite episode of the series

Season Three

• The Kid Are Alright – great horror and comedy, count me as one who loves Dean and kids
• Fresh Blood – Gordon beheaded by fierce Sam also the tragedy of Gordon’s denouement
• A Very Supernatural Christmas - wee!Winchesters
• Dream a Little Dream of Me - Dean’s talk with his demon self, the color saturation and sets
• Mystery Spot – what’s not to love

Season Four

• Lazarus Rising – Dean crawling out of his grave, Castiel entrance and handprint
• In the Beginning – young Mary, young John, all of it
• Monster Movie – awesome B&W homage
• It’s a Terrible Life – great AU
• The Monster at the End of this Book – Chuck! The Meta

Season Five

• The End – Jensen Showcase – really well done!
• Changing Channels - awesome crack!
• The Real Ghostbusters – more hilarious meta
• The Song Remains the Same – young Mary, young John, Sam seeing his mother, his speech with John, the boys asking to never be born, guh.
• #5 slot still open

• Clearly I need to learn the formatting tags...