Ellen Harvelle

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

History

Origin

Ellen is a hunter who ran a saloon called Harvelle's Roadhouse, in Nebraska which was frequented by hunters until its destruction by demons. ^{2.22 All Hell Breaks Loose: Part Two} She is the widow of Bill Harvelle, who died on a hunt with John Winchester in 1995 and Mother of Jo. She was an old friend of John Winchester's, having met him at least as early as 1994, but hadn't spoken to him for a long time before his death.

Season 2

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.

Season 5

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 doesn't want to leave her daughter, and she sits down with her, crying. Sam and Dean then leave Jo and Ellen to their grim-looking fates. Jo eventually dies from her wounds. Ellen clears the salt line from the door and window to allow the hellhounds come inside the shop. Ellen sets off the explosive devices, killing the hellhounds and herself.

5.16 Dark Side Of The Moon

Ash tells Sam and Dean that he hasn't seen Ellen or Jo in Heaven, despite his ability to move around in Heaven and meet other people, including Pamela Barnes.

Notes

• For more on Ellen's relationship with Jo, Ash and Gordon check out Jo's Blog.

Trivia

• Named Ellen because the writers modelled her after the tough but vulnerable characters Ellen Barkin portrays in her films._{S2Com, p.14}