The beloved CW series, The Winchesters serves as a prequel to Supernatural, and has received mixed reviews. Ultimately, it's hard to get into when fans already know who John and Mary Winchester become. John, in particular, is often the brunt of criticism from outspoken of the Supernatural Family.
There's a Supernatural meme for every occasion. It's a staple of the fandom. These memes can be used to summarize elements of the show. Given the fan reception of John Winchester, it's no surprise there are many memes about him online.
10 He's Not A Great Dad
This meme has been popular for the past few years, boosting on special days like Valentine's Day and Father's Day. People online take a well-known slice of pop culture and make a joke about it that either compliments or insults the recipient.
In this case, the meme author could be trying to insult and praise his father at the same time. John Winchester is not a great dad, so it's not a high bar to compete with. John didn't just raise his sons in a terrible world of hunting. There is also evidence of anger issues, abuse, and failure to give Sam and Dean a safe and stable childhood. The meme jokes about his flaws, but in all seriousness, he wouldn't be the first choice for a father figure.
9 He's Secretive And He Treats Each Of His Kids Differently
John is known as Sam and Dean Winchester's dad, but he also fathers Adam Milligan, the boy who ultimately becomes Michael's vessel in season 5 of the show. How Adam's character is dealt with and the plot holes that open up because of it, still bother Supernatural fans.
It appears that John sees Adam as a fresh start and a chance to just be a dad. This would have been commendable if he hadn't then aimed all his rage at his two older kids and kept their half-brother a secret. When the truth finally comes out, Dean is understandably infuriated. To him, Adam is just another one of John's lies and proof that he could've been a good father. He just wasn't a good father to him and Sam.
8 His Parenting Methods Are Debatable
There are so many memes on the internet about how terrible of a father John Winchester is, but this one takes it to a whole other level, with viewers preferring to have a sandwich as a dad than John. It's not a complete blowout, but it's enough of a lead to turn heads.
Strangers to Supernatural may not understand the conviction toward Jeffrey Dean Morgan's character, but there's a reason fans are so ionate about their dislike for John. A sandwich isn't able to speak or do anything, and the creator of the meme seems to believe that's a step up. At least the sandwich isn't telling Sam to never come back if he walks out that door, and at least the sandwich can't get up and leave his sons at a dirty motel without telling them where he's going.
7 He Dies And Isn't Resurrected
John Winchester is one of the few characters in Supernatural who dies permanently. Everyone else has either been resurrected or brought back through means of magic or multiverse travel.
This meme blends a quote about mortality, Dean looking confused, and the "Math Lady" meme to make its point. While John reappears in Supernatural season 13 in the show's 300th episode, John is never formally brought back to life. This meme may not be specifically targeting John, but it certainly sums up the finality of his death.
6 He's Unlikable
This Friends meme format has taken the internet by storm in the past few years. It sees Phoebe trying to get a point across to Joey, but the soap opera actor just isn't getting it. This particular meme serves as a letter to the CW and those who helped bring The Winchesters to the air.
It goes without reiteration that John Winchester is not the most likable TV dad to exist. When The Winchesters was announced, ionate fans who believe John doesn't deserve any more light of day took to the Internet to make their voices heard. It's especially difficult for fans to get on board when Wayward Sisters, a highly-anticipated sequel series focusing on Jody Mills and the girls she has taken in was denied by the network.
5 He's Determined To Avenge His Wife's Death
Though this meme is describing Dean, it can also be used to describe John. Azazel made a mistake by not killing John Winchester sooner. Sparing him only guaranteed that Azazel would always be targeted by the Winchester father.
John dedicated the better half of his adult life trying to find and kill Yellow Eyes. His character is relentless and determined. While this can be considered a strength, it was also John's fatal flaw. It was his life's mission to destroy Azazel, but instead, he destroyed his relationships with Sam and Dean trying to avenge their mother.
4 Mary's Death Made Him A Hypocrite
In a Supernatural season 1 time travel episode, Sam and Dean meet their parents as young lovers. This meme includes both John's and Mary's responses to learning about the life Sam and Dean have lived.
John criticized everyone who raises their kids as hunters, yet he does exactly that with Sam and Dean. This shows how much John has changed throughout the years, and how much trauma he faced that he would make such rash decisions that would affect his and his children's entire lives. The meme is correct. Young John would despise what he becomes.
3 He's Disconnected From His Sons
In many ways, John is a terrible father. This meme makes fun of this fact by taking stills from the show and applying fake dialogue to them.
This meme answers John's question without answering the question because he should know his own child's name. While this is a joke, it signifies something deeper. John doesn't seem to care about anything except hunting. He couldn't even accept that Sam got a full ride to Stanford. When they were exploring anything outside the 'family business,' he either angrily opposed it or was entirely indifferent to it.
2 He's Misunderstood
As much as fans enjoy hating on the character, John Winchester may not deserve as much heat as he gets. Every Supernatural fan finds themselves arguing about whether John is a good guy at heart. When digging deep into his past and trauma, it's not so unbelievable that he would turn out the way he did.
He had a crummy childhood and an absent father. He found a reason to live in his love for Mary, and when that was taken away from him, he couldn't get past it. He loves his boys, but his life is centered around Mary, so he chose to avenge her over being there for his children. This is no excuse for his behavior, but it's something that should be kept in mind.
1 He Apologizes Too Late
While Dean's the one in the meme, it can also be used to describe John and the reception of his character by fans.
In the few occasions John expresses remorse or regret, it comes off as desperate or lacking in authenticity. His apologies don't make up for the abuse. In Supernatural's 300th episode, the Winchester family is reunited, and he genuinely apologizes to his wife and kids. They forgive him, but it's a little late to make everything alright. For many fans, there's nothing John could say or do that would change their minds about him.