Grabbing a drink, Winchester style
I recently created an entry on the Super Wiki for Sam and Dean's green cooler. I thought I'd create a post here too (with a little more comment).
I love it when we see certain props being re-used. Sometimes it's because they have certain items in stock and they use (and re-use) them when decorating a set. Other times it's because it forms part of a character's personal belongs. Like the awesome green cooler.
The cooler they have is a Coleman vintage cooler - circa 1960s. We have no information about how it's come into their possession, but I'd like to think it's somehow connected to the Impala. We mostly see it next to her and as they are both vintage I'd like to think that maybe they were purchased around the same time. I can see John buying something like this.
There are three types of cooler that appear in the show.
Season 3-7 cooler
Benny's cooler 8.09
Similar to the one used in 8.10
More information about that first cooler here. These seem to be extremely rare. If your neighbour happens to be throwing one out...grab it!
The cooler first appears in season 3 - Fresh Blood. This is a significant and memorable scene - Dean showing Sam how to fix the Impala so he can look after her when he's gone. The cooler doubles as a trusty seat. I suspect this prop was introduced to create this wonderful scene.
The next time we see it is in season 4 - After School Special. It's another beautiful setting and I love that they include the cooler in this scene. It could be considered a motif now - especially as we see it a third time in season 6 (6.09), where its presence holds greater significance.
Free to be You and Me (5.03) is the first time we see the cooler inside. Dean and Cas are squatting in an abandoned house - so there wouldn't be a fridge. He grabs a beer while talking to Raphael.
4.13 After School Special
5.03 Free To Be You and Me
The cooler makes another appearance at this significant moment. It's the final episode of Season 5 (Kripke's last episode) and Sam and Dean take a moment to talk about what's about to happen. I love that the cooler, like the Impala, acts like a support for them. Great to get a close up of it also.
5.22 Swan Song
5.22 Swan Song
I think it's significant that it appears in this scene. The previous times we've seen it by the car the boys share a companionable drink. This is soulless!Sam and he refuses a drink when Dean offers him one. I like that Dean has his foot on it this time - I think he's the one needing the support here.
6.09 Clap Your Hands if You Believe
6.09 Clap Your Hands if You Believe
Another interior shot - and another squat. I like that their portable "fridge" carries beers and not food. Dean picks it up and puts it right next to him on the sofa so he can have the drinks in easy reach.
7.09 How to Win Friends and Influence Monsters
7.09 How to Win Friends and Influence Monsters
Another squat, another instance where the cooler is used. This time doubling up as a footstool. It's a multipurpose prop!
7.12 Time After Time After Time
7.12 Time After Time After Time
A green cooler appears in season 8, but in both cases they are slightly different to the one we've seen the boys with previously. Benny's cooler has the handle at the top and the one that appears in Torn and Frayed has a white band around the bottom. I can't find a cooler like the one in 8.10 on the net (white lines in the bottom white band with hinges that so not appear on the top of the lid). The cooler has been turned around so it's hard to make out which model it would be.
I am very curious about the change in 8.10. I wonder if this means the original prop was lost and they have replaced it with one similar one (thinking we'd not notice). The one next to Dean in Citizen Fang could easily be theirs (the idea being that Dean has given it to Benny for his blood supply), but it's not the same model. Weird...
8.09 Citizen Fang
8.10 Torn and Frayed
Update!
The green cooler was spotted in 1.15 (The Benders). This is a similar style to the one Benny has. This suggests they have kept this prop from S1 to S8.
I hope we continue to see the green cooler (especially as it has changed!). I adore the roadside drinks, so I'll be keeping my eye out for more of those, AND more of this wonderful prop.