Difference between revisions of "Ellen Harvelle"

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An old friend of John Winchester, Ellen Harvelle is the wife of hunter William Anthony Harvelle and the mother of Jo Harvelle. She runs Harvelle’s Roadhouse, a saloon and pub frequented by hunters of supernatural creatures. When Sam and Dean Winchester arrive there in the second season episode "Everybody Loves a Clown", they find the place empty. Wary of new strangers, Ellen holds Sam at gunpoint while Jo subdues Dean. Upon realizing that John is their father, Ellen offers them a room in the back where they could stay, but Dean declines the offer.[1] In "Bloodlust", Sam asks Ellen for information on a hunter named Gordon Walker, and she tells him that, although Gordon is a good hunter, he is too dangerous to work with.[2] Later, in "Simon Said", Sam and Dean explain about the coming demon war against humanity, revealing to her what they know about the demon Azazel and the psychic children he has pursued.[3]
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{{RecurringCharacters
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|image= [[Image:Ellen.jpg|300px]]
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|name= Ellen
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|actor= [[Samantha Ferris]].
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|dates= -2009
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|location= [[Harvelle's Roadhouse]], Nebraska, In Heaven with Jo
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|occupation= Hunter, Bar Owner
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|episodes= [[2.02 Everybody Loves a Clown (episode)|2.02 Everybody Loves a Clown]]<BR>[[2.03 Bloodlust (episode)|2.03 Bloodlust]]<BR>[[2.06 No Exit (episode)|2.06 No Exit]]<BR>[[2.10 Hunted (episode)|2.10 Hunted]]<BR> [[2.22 All Hell Breaks Loose: Part Two (episode)|2.22 All Hell Breaks Loose: Part Two]]<br>[[5.02 Good God Y'All]]<br>[[5.10 Abandon All Hope]]
  
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However, her relationship with the brothers is strained in the episode "No Exit", where she reveals that her husband's death was the result of a mistake made by John Winchester while they were working together on a hunt.[4] In "Hunted", Sam goes to see Ellen at the Roadhouse. She admits to him that her husband's death was not John's fault, and that she had forgiven him a long time ago. She also informs Sam that Jo has gone hunting by herself. Sam apologizes for this, but Ellen does not blame the brothers. Having had an argument with Dean, Sam then tracks down another of Azazel's targets by himself, and Ellen breaks a promise to him by telling Dean of his location, saying afterward, "You can't protect your loved ones forever."[5]
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}}
  
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The Roadhouse is destroyed by demons in "All Hell Breaks Loose, Part One", and her whereabouts are unknown throughout the episode.[6] It is later revealed in "Part Two" that she had left the Roadhouse to run a few errands, leaving Ash behind in it. In the Roadhouse's safe they find a map with marks surrounding Wyoming, which is really a giant devil's trap to keep demons away. She, the Winchesters, and fellow hunter Bobby Singer all go to a cemetery in the middle of the trap, where they corner the special child Jake, who is being forced by Azazel to open a gateway to Hell in a mausoleum there. They are unsuccessful, however, and hundreds of demons are released into the world. As the brothers then deal with Azazel, Ellen and Bobby close the gateway. The two then inform the Winchesters that many demons have escaped Hell, thrusting them into a war against the forces of evil.[7]
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* Ellen is a hunter who ran a saloon called [[Harvelle's Roadhouse]], in Nebraska which was frequented by hunters until its destruction by demons. <sup>[[2.22 All Hell Breaks Loose: Part Two]]</sup>
  
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In the fifth season episode "Good God, Y'all!", Ellen reappears with Jo to help fellow hunter Rufus kill demons that have laid siege to a small town called River Pass, Colorado. Both mother and daughter are separated in the siege, but Ellen joins up with a group of townspeople holed up in a church. Later, on a patrol, she reunites with Sam and Dean. She and Sam search for Jo but find that she, Rufus and some other townspeople have apparently become possessed. Sam distracts the demons long enough for Ellen to escape. Ellen returns to the church, and the two come to realize that War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, is responsible for the siege, making the townspeople think each other are demons. Ellen is almost killed by one of the town's residents until War's spell is destroyed by Sam and Dean.[8]
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* She was an old acquaintance of [[John Winchester]]'s, having met him at least as early as 1994, but before his death hadn't spoken to him for a long time.
  
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In the episode "Abandon All Hope...", Ellen and Jo once again team up with the brothers to find Lucifer and kill him. Upon their arrival in a seemingly abandoned small town, the four come face-to-face with the demon Meg, who send a pack of hellhounds after them. On the run, Dean gets attacked by one, and while helping him, Jo is severely mauled as well. They hide in an old store trying to come up with a plan, until Jo tells them to be realistic; she is not going to survive. She suggests to make a bomb of salt and iron—repellents of hellhounds—using her as bait so they can escape. Ellen initially refuses to let her daughter sacrifice herself, but Jo convinces her that it has to be done in order to stop the Apocalypse. Ellen ultimately agrees and stays behind as well, opening the doors to let the hellhounds in. Jo dies in her arms, and seconds later, Ellen blows up the building, killing the hellhounds and herself in the process.[9]
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* She is the widow of [[William_Anthony_Harvelle|Bill Harvelle]], who died on a hunt with [[John Winchester]] in 1995.
  
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[edit] Characterization
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* Mother of [[Jo]].
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Series creator Eric Kripke felt that Ellen brought a "maternal energy" to the series, and described the character as "a lioness, which is tough and badass and 'You touch my children, I will kill you.'"[10] Likewise, actress Samantha Ferris described her as a "gun-toting, beer-slinging, bar-owning broad" with a "very maternal core".[11] Ferris also feels that, despite Ellen having gone through a lot in her life, she is cautious rather than jaded, and is "very protective of the things she has in her life", especially her daughter Jo and the Winchesters.[11] Thus, her main concern is Jo's safety, which prompts her to forbid her daughter from going on hunts. When she realizes that she can no longer stop Jo from doing what she wants, Ellen becomes her hunting partner, deciding it is the best way to look after her.[8]
 
  
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[edit] Development
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* For more on Ellen's relationship with Jo, [[Ash]] and [[Gordon]] check out [[Jo's Blog]]
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Due to the father-son dynamics of the hunting world depicted in the series' first season with the Winchesters, the writers decided to explore a mother-daughter relationship, resulting in the introduction of Ellen and her daughter Jo.[10] The name originated from the writers' decision to base her on the "tough yet emotionally-vulnerable" characters portrayed by actress Ellen Barkin.[12] Ellen was meant to have a "true and honest platonic friendship" with John Winchester, and her backstory of her husband having been killed due to John's mistake was added to the storyline to explain why John never mentioned the Roadhouse to his sons.[12] Ferris auditioned for the role, and feels that she was exactly what they had been looking for. She commented, "I have a certain kind of personality that works specifically with a role, and Ellen is just me on television. They were looking for a tough, strong, yet a little maternal actor, and I struck a chord."[11] Series creator Eric Kripke agrees, feeling that Ferris "really brought the character to life", being "nuanced and complex and tough, yet beautiful and feminine".[10]
 
  
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The character of Ellen is absent from the third season, though this was not the writers' intentions. An episode featuring her return had to be scrapped due to the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike,[13] and the writers wanted her to appear in the season finale.[14] Despite this, Ferris was "a bit surprised and [disappointed]" at Ellen's lack of involvement in the season.[15] The actress felt that the deal offered to her was not acceptable and thus declined a guest appearance in the finale, as "It could cost [her] money and work".[16]
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* Named Ellen because the writers modelled her after the tough but vulnerable characters Ellen Barkin portrays in her films.<sub>[[S2Com]], p.14</sub>
  
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[edit] Reception
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Critical reception to Ellen has been positive. In their initial appearance, Bryan Enk of UGO felt that the new hunters of the Roadhouse had potential to be the Supernatural equivalent of Buffy the Vampire Slayers's Scooby Gang, comparing Ellen to Buffy's Giles, as she is "the elder who can help guide the boys from a home base and serve as an emotional link to their father, a parental figure without all the melodramatic baggage of the actual father from the first season".[17] Diana Steenbergen of IGN also favored Ellen from the beginning,[18] believing her to be "a great addition to the show".[19] She deemed Ellen "tough and direct, and also female, something the boys don't have a lot of in their lives right now".[18] Steenbergen was happy to see the character return in the fifth season, noting that the show has been missing "smart, tough women who are not evil in general".[20] Maureen Ryan of Chicago Tribune was "annoyed" at the destruction of the Roadhouse in the second season finale, as she "really loved Ellen".[21] Though happy to see her return in the fifth season, Ryan was disappointed at the lack of screentime the character received in the episode "Good God, Y'All!".[22] Commenting on the character's final appearance and her farewells, Ryan noted that Ferris "brought [her] A-game to 'Abandon All Hope…'". She added that "[Ferris fits] perfectly into the 'Supernatural' world because [she understands] that on this show, restraint is everything. It's not necessarily just about what the characters say or do, it's about what they don't say—what they can't find the words for".[23] Tina Charles of TV Guide also welcomed the character back, and enjoyed how Ellen's initial reaction to Dean Winchester—hugging and then slapping him—was "very much in character".[24] Regarding the character's death, Charles noted that "when [Ellen] went down in 'Abandon All Hope' like [she] did, I felt it. [Her death] meant something".
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==[[2.02 Everybody Loves a Clown (episode)|2.02 Everybody Loves a Clown]]==
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Four months prior to his death, Ellen leaves a voicemail message on John's phone saying she can help him with the [[Azazel|demon]] he is tracking. As the boys recuperate at [[Bobby]]'s place, Sam retrieves the message and the boys travel to the [[Roadhouse]]. Ellen explains that she knew John and that he "was like family once." While waiting for [[Ash]] to analyze John's information on the [[Yellow-Eyed Demon]], Ellen passes on to the boys a case she was "saving for a friend".
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Sam speculates as to whether Ellen and [[John]] ever "you know", but Dean thinks not.
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After the boys kills the [[Rakshasa]], they return to the [[Roadhouse]] where [[Ash]] has set up a computerised demon tracking system. [[Ellen]] invites the boys to stay, but they decline and return to [[Bobby]]'s.
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==[[2.03 Bloodlust (episode)|2.03 Bloodlust]]==
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After encountering [[Gordon]], Sam rings [[Ellen]] for information, and she warns him that [[Gordon]] is a damn good hunter but dangerous.
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==[[2.05 Simon Said (episode)|2.05 Simon Said]]==
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Sam and Dean go to the [[Roadhouse]] for help after Sam has a vision. After dealing with [[Andy]] and his evil twin [[Ansem Weems (Webber)|Ansem]], the boys get a call from Ellen and return to the [[Roadhouse]]. She indicates she knows the boys are part of something:
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:... This isn't just your war, this is war. Now, something big and bad's coming and it's coming fast, and their side holds all the cards. Now, at best all we got is us. Together. No secrets or half-truths here.
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==[[2.06 No Exit (episode)|2.06 No Exit]]==
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Ellen is trying to prevent Jo from hunting on her own, but even though Ellen gives the case to Sam and Dean, Jo sneaks off and joins them. Despite getting Ash to help her cover her tracks, Ellen works out that Jo is in Philadelphia with the Winchesters. When she rings, Dean confesses that Jo has being kidnapped by the spirit of [[Dr. H.H. Holmes]]. Ellen flies out to Philly, and after Jo is rescued drives back in the Impala with Sam, Dean and Jo.  
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Back at the [[Roadhouse]], Ellen reveals to [[Jo]] that her father was killed while hunting with [[John Winchester]].
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==[[2.10 Hunted (episode)|2.10 Hunted]]==
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As he searches for the other [[Special Children]], Sam seeks help at the [[Roadhouse]]. [[Ellen]] tells him that after they last met, Jo insisted on continuing hunting, and Ellen said "not under my roof". Ellen explains that she doesn't blame Sam and Dean.
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Later [[Gordon]] reveals someone at the [[Roadhouse]] told him about Sam's powers.
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==[[2.22 All Hell Breaks Loose: Part Two (episode)|2.22 All Hell Breaks Loose: Part Two]]==
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Ellen turns up at [[Bobby|Bobby's]] place, explaining that she was out buying pretzels when demons attacked the [[Roadhouse]], killing everyone and burning it to the ground, however Ellen rescued Ash's research from the safe. [[Bobby]] makes her drink a shot of holy water to ensure she isn't possessed.
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At the devil's gate in Wyoming [[Jake]] uses his mind powers to get Ellen to point her own gun at her head. After the gate opens, it is Ellen and [[Bobby]] who finally close it.
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==[[5.02 Good God Y'All]]==
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Ellen has been hunting with [[Jo]], when she answers a call for help from [[Rufus]] to a town he thinks is under attack from demons. When Sam and Dean arrive she has been separated from Jo and [[Rufus]]. She says she didn't know Dean was alive until [[Rufus]] told her. When she and Sam go looking for them, and find them, she thinks they have been possessed by demons. Jo calls her a "black-eyed bitch" indicating she thinks [[Ellen]] is possessed. After they work out [[War]] is tricking them, they try to stop Rufus and Jo. Ellen is about to be killed by one of the townsfolk when Sam cuts off [[War]]'s ring, and the spell is broken.
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==[[5.10 Abandon All Hope]]==
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When Jo, Ellen, Dean and Sam arrive at the town they meet [[Meg]], now in a new body. She is bringing hellhounds to help kill them. When she unleashes them Dean kills one of the dogs, but he is nearly killed until Jo saves him, shooting a dog 3 times, before she is attacked herself and is badly wounded. They take her to a store and barricade themselves with salt. After a while they realise that she isnt going to survive, and they set up explosive devices. Gas tanks, buckets loaded with salt and iron-nails. Ellen didnt want to leave her daughter, and she sits down with her, crying. Sam and Dean then leaves, leaving Jo and Ellen to their grim-looking fates. The hellhounds then proceed to come inside the shop, just to be blown asunder by the explosive devices, killing the hell hounds, Ellen and Jo.  
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[[Category:Canon]][[Category:Characters]][[Category:Hunters]]

Revision as of 20:46, 9 February 2010


Ellen.jpg
Name Ellen
Actor Samantha Ferris.
Dates -2009
Location Harvelle's Roadhouse, Nebraska, In Heaven with Jo
Occupation Hunter, Bar Owner
Episode(s) 2.02 Everybody Loves a Clown
2.03 Bloodlust
2.06 No Exit
2.10 Hunted
2.22 All Hell Breaks Loose: Part Two
5.02 Good God Y'All
5.10 Abandon All Hope
  • She was an old acquaintance of John Winchester's, having met him at least as early as 1994, but before his death hadn't spoken to him for a long time.
  • Mother of Jo.
  • Named Ellen because the writers modelled her after the tough but vulnerable characters Ellen Barkin portrays in her films.S2Com, p.14


2.02 Everybody Loves a Clown

Four months prior to his death, Ellen leaves a voicemail message on John's phone saying she can help him with the demon he is tracking. As the boys recuperate at Bobby's place, Sam retrieves the message and the boys travel to the Roadhouse. Ellen explains that she knew John and that he "was like family once." While waiting for Ash to analyze John's information on the Yellow-Eyed Demon, Ellen passes on to the boys a case she was "saving for a friend".

Sam speculates as to whether Ellen and John ever "you know", but Dean thinks not.

After the boys kills the Rakshasa, they return to the Roadhouse where Ash has set up a computerised demon tracking system. Ellen invites the boys to stay, but they decline and return to Bobby's.

2.03 Bloodlust

After encountering Gordon, Sam rings Ellen for information, and she warns him that Gordon is a damn good hunter but dangerous.

2.05 Simon Said

Sam and Dean go to the Roadhouse for help after Sam has a vision. After dealing with Andy and his evil twin Ansem, the boys get a call from Ellen and return to the Roadhouse. She indicates she knows the boys are part of something:

... This isn't just your war, this is war. Now, something big and bad's coming and it's coming fast, and their side holds all the cards. Now, at best all we got is us. Together. No secrets or half-truths here.

2.06 No Exit

Ellen is trying to prevent Jo from hunting on her own, but even though Ellen gives the case to Sam and Dean, Jo sneaks off and joins them. Despite getting Ash to help her cover her tracks, Ellen works out that Jo is in Philadelphia with the Winchesters. When she rings, Dean confesses that Jo has being kidnapped by the spirit of Dr. H.H. Holmes. Ellen flies out to Philly, and after Jo is rescued drives back in the Impala with Sam, Dean and Jo.

Back at the Roadhouse, Ellen reveals to Jo that her father was killed while hunting with John Winchester.

2.10 Hunted

As he searches for the other Special Children, Sam seeks help at the Roadhouse. Ellen tells him that after they last met, Jo insisted on continuing hunting, and Ellen said "not under my roof". Ellen explains that she doesn't blame Sam and Dean.

Later Gordon reveals someone at the Roadhouse told him about Sam's powers.

2.22 All Hell Breaks Loose: Part Two

Ellen turns up at Bobby's place, explaining that she was out buying pretzels when demons attacked the Roadhouse, killing everyone and burning it to the ground, however Ellen rescued Ash's research from the safe. Bobby makes her drink a shot of holy water to ensure she isn't possessed.

At the devil's gate in Wyoming Jake uses his mind powers to get Ellen to point her own gun at her head. After the gate opens, it is Ellen and Bobby who finally close it.

5.02 Good God Y'All

Ellen has been hunting with Jo, when she answers a call for help from Rufus to a town he thinks is under attack from demons. When Sam and Dean arrive she has been separated from Jo and Rufus. She says she didn't know Dean was alive until Rufus told her. When she and Sam go looking for them, and find them, she thinks they have been possessed by demons. Jo calls her a "black-eyed bitch" indicating she thinks Ellen is possessed. After they work out War is tricking them, they try to stop Rufus and Jo. Ellen is about to be killed by one of the townsfolk when Sam cuts off War's ring, and the spell is broken.

5.10 Abandon All Hope

When Jo, Ellen, Dean and Sam arrive at the town they meet Meg, now in a new body. She is bringing hellhounds to help kill them. When she unleashes them Dean kills one of the dogs, but he is nearly killed until Jo saves him, shooting a dog 3 times, before she is attacked herself and is badly wounded. They take her to a store and barricade themselves with salt. After a while they realise that she isnt going to survive, and they set up explosive devices. Gas tanks, buckets loaded with salt and iron-nails. Ellen didnt want to leave her daughter, and she sits down with her, crying. Sam and Dean then leaves, leaving Jo and Ellen to their grim-looking fates. The hellhounds then proceed to come inside the shop, just to be blown asunder by the explosive devices, killing the hell hounds, Ellen and Jo.

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