Though Sam and Dean Winchester are the stars of 15 season-long series Supernatural, there are many other beloved recurring characters (especially Bobby Singer, who was played by Jim Beaver). While the Winchesters are smart in their own rights, they often go running to their surrogate father for help with anything - from hunting research to family advice.
Bobby was the genius hunter behind Sam and Dean's successful missions and, unfortunately, he was not given the credit he was due. Particularly by his boys but they loved each other unconditionally and the Winchesters knew without a doubt that if it wasn't for Bobby, they would have died during a hunt long ago.
Children Are The Future
"Kids Ain't Supposed To Be Grateful! They're Supposed To Eat Your Food And Break Your Heart"
As Bobby is dying in a heartbreaking episode of Supernatural, he is forced to confront visions of his past (including moments with his abusive father). Bobby's reason for never having children with his wife Karen is from a fear of turning out like his dad. But in order to get back to his boys, Bobby finally confronts his father.
Bobby rightfully tells him that people need to earn respect rather than instantly expect it. And through raising Sam and Dean, Bobby realizes that children shouldn't need to feel grateful towards their parents just for looking after them. Children shouldn't have to feel the weight of parents' expectations of gratitude for just being there.
He Had A Weekend Off
"Solid Iron. Completely Coated In Salt. 100% Ghost Proof."
In typical Bobby fashion, he reveals he has built a panic room in his basement. First shown in "Are You There God? It's Me, Dean Winchester," the cylindrical room made from iron and coated in salt provides a completely ghost-proof haven from the witnesses after the boys.
Used several times through season 4, 5, and 6, building the panic room is a genius move on Bobby's part. With several devil's traps (inside and outside the room) and plenty of Enochian sigils, the room protects Bobby's boys from ghosts, angels, and demons and comes in handy when Sam's detoxing from demon blood.
Never Underestimate Him
"君なんか生まれる前から、ずっとだよ/Kimi Ga Umareru Mae Kara Zutto Dayo/(I've) Always (Known Japanese) Since Before You Were Born."
An impressive surprise to both Sam and viewers is Bobby's ability to fluently speak and read Japanese. This moment in Supernatural was suggested by Jim Beaver as he knows some Japanese after studying it for two years. Bobby has also been known to understand Latin, French and easily translate other ancient languages.
While a hilarious Supernatural meme suggests that Bobby says "F*** you Sam, you're not the only one around here with fancy book learning," it is incorrect. Through Twitter, Jim Beaver has explained the exact translation of the line. Bobby and Beaver's intelligence and love for languages clearly know no bounds.
Beer O'clock
"A Little Holy Water In The Beer. Sam Would Never Have Noticed. But Then, You're Not Sam."
Though Sam and Dean are the protagonists on the show, even they need saving from time to time and the person usually to do that is Bobby (especially in the early seasons before the arrival of Castiel). Before the brothers get the genius idea of getting matching tattoos that prevent demonic possession, Sam is possessed by Meg.
While it takes Dean a while to realize this, Bobby knows almost immediately through this very clever trick. Spiking drinks with holy water is a brilliant security measure of Bobby's that was likely developed some time after his wife got possessed. With demons frequently terrorizing his life, it is a genius move of Bobby's that paid off.
His Trump Card
"Wood-chipper, That - That Pretty Much Trumps Everything."
Most monsters have to be killed with incredibly specific methods, especially the weirder monsters in Supernatural. During season 6, monsters from all over the world are popping up in unexpected places such as an Okami - a Japanese creature named after a wolf thought to be a messenger of the kami spirits.
Usually, they can only be killed by stabbing them seven times with a bamboo dagger (blessed by a Shinto priest. The Okami reanimates while buried on Bobby's property and goes after his neighbor Marcy to feed. However, without the dagger, Bobby is able to defeat and kill it by using Marcy's woodchipper. It is an inspired moment of ingenuity and hunter's instinct that saves many lives.
Sharper Than Sherlock
"You Got A Trickster On Your Hands... I Got To Tell You, You Guys Were The Biggest Clue."
When Sam and Dean are stuck on a case, it is a force of habit to call Bobby for help. It's a good thing they did when the brothers run into a Trickster - or Gabriel as fans later learn. While Sam and Dean are too busy bickering like "an old married couple" or true siblings, Bobby solves the case.
He realizes through the brothers' animosity that a Trickster is playing havoc with them so they can't even think straight. Off the top of his head, Bobby remembers exactly the modus operandi of these chaotic demigods and helps save the day - or so the Trickster let them believe.
Natural Actor
"My Mom. Just A Sec. Great, Great. Now Blend The Herbs. Saute Over A High Heat. Cook Well."
This brilliant episode shows exactly how far Bobby goes to help Sam and Dean. Even though he's busy torturing a demon to find out how to end his contract with Crowley, he spends hours researching and even breaks into a university library to get more books. By early morning the next day, Bobby finds a possible way to kill the Lamia they're after and doesn't even get a thank-you.
When that method fails, Dean calls while the FBI is at Bobby's door looking for Rufus. Under the watchful eye of Agent Adams and Jody Mills, Bobby tells Dean exactly how to kill this ancient Greek monster in cookery code. It is easy to follow and impossible to detect but it works wonders for the boys, who realize in this episode just how much Bobby helps them.
Always Listen To Bobby
"Binsfeld's Classification Of Demons. In 1589, Binsfeld ID'd The Seven Sins - Not Just As Human Vices But As Actual Devils."
It is not long after the character is introduced that fans learn that Bobby is always right. With research talents that put academics to shame, his breadth of knowledge is wide. He is rarely wrong when it comes to lore and is proven to understand the fables of several countries (from Japanese folklore to Greek mythology).
In the season 3 premiere, Bobby uses a lesser-known point of reference as opposed to Dante and researches Peter Binsfeld, a German bishop and theologian who classifies demons as Princes of Hell and are actual manifestations of the seven deadly sins. This shows his intelligence and the research capabilities are potentially infinite against these medieval demons and trigger-happy hunters.
He Can Dig It
"There's Gotta Be An Easier Way To Dig Graves."
Over the 15 seasons of Supernatural, countless graves have been dug to salt and burn the bones of ghosts. Despite that, Sam and Dean have never figured out a faster or easier method of doing this except using shovels and brute strength. However, in a flashback during this season 11 episode, Bobby proves he works smarter not harder by bringing a digger to the graveyard.
This genius move that saves time and energy is one Bobby makes more than once. "Weekend At Bobby's" shows the character using his own mechanical digger to make the grave for a temporarily-dead Okami while Rufus. The other half of this incredible Supernatural duo puts the machine on his Hanukkah wish list.
A True Genius
"Family Don't End In Blood."
This quote proves Bobby's level of genius is not only academic intelligence but emotional as well. As a person who has lost more than his fair share, Bobby knows to appreciate family in whatever shape it comes - from orphan hunters to rebellious angels.
This beloved Bobby quote is one of the show's best quotes about family and embodies the entire show. Not only has this amazing quote led to a series of tattoos, books and fan art, but it also helps Sam and Dean realize that they are not alone. They will always have Bobby on their side and helps them redefine "family".