Hello again everybody. Nick here. With Halloween right around the corner I thought I'd take a moment to talk about a show that is, not only fitting for this season, but also one of the best shows currently running on television: SUPERNATURAL.
I already know what you skeptics are thinking: this is just another lame Buffy rip-off for the CW's tween audience. I've been there. I initially avoided this show like the plague. Why would I watch another monster-of-the-week show that stared two pretty boy soap opera actors when? Luckily, my mom was a fan of the show and convinced me to watch the first two seasons she had on DVD.
I'm glad she did. While it definitely owes thanks to forerunners like BUFFY or The X-Files, SUPERNATURAL has stepped out of the shadows of those shows and developed it's own legacy. It is a cross-country road trip with two brothers bonding as they discover the truth behind the legends and ghost stories that make up the history Americana. It is filled with to brim with classic rock, fast cars, hot chicks, cool guns, scary monsters and blood! Lots and lots of blood! So much blood that I sometimes forget this is a prime time show on basic network television.
Below are 20 of my favorite episodes from the first 6 seasons of SUPERNATURAL in the order of their airing. Quick warning: if you don't like spoilers than you might want to avoid reading my breakdown of the episodes cause Spoilers abound!
Season 1- Episode 1: "Pilot"
The show that started it all. When John Winchester witnesses his wife murdered in brutal fashion by some yellow-eyed beast, he takes his two kids, Sam and Dean, and raises them in a life of slaying ghost, ghouls, and other assorted monsters. Years later we find Sam in college, trying to put the past behind him and make a life for himself. That all changes when his big brother Dean comes looking for him. You see, their father has disappeared after a recent "hunting trip" and Dean hasn't heard from him in a while. While reluctant to return to his old life(particularly after leaving his father on bad terms) Sam agrees to help his brother work one last case. After working the case, he returns home to find his girlfriend Jessica murdered in the same fashion his mother was. With no other alternative, Sam joins Dean on his cross-country travels as they fight monsters and try to find their father.
Seaon 1-Episode 5: "Bloody Mary"
You know that Urban Legend about saying "Bloody Mary" three times while looking in a mirror and turning out the lights? Yeah, I've never done that. Nor will I ever. It's not that I'm a superstitious person. I'm just cautious like that. Thus this episode I found truly creepy. The Winchesters investigate a Bloody Mary case where the victims all seem to bleed to death from their eyes. Not only creepy, but towards the end we are met with an interesting twist: Sam has been having visions recently... and they appear to be coming true!
Season 2-Episode 1: "In My Time of Dying"
Picking up right at the end of season one's jaw-dropping finale, we find the Winchester brothers and their father, John, in severe condition after narrowly escaping a demon trap set up by the Yellow-Eyed demon. While John and Sam are none the worse for wear, Dean is in critical condition. His body stuck in a coma, Dean's spirit wanders the hospital as he tries to warn his family that a reaper is coming to claim his life. Unable to deal with the thought of his son dying, John summons Ol' Yellow Eyes himself, Azazel, and makes a deal with him. In exchange for Dean's life John offers not only the Colt, a revolver made by Samuel Colt himself to kill demons, but his life as well.
Season 2-Episode 8: "Crossroad Blues"
Ever since the movie CROSSROADS(the one with Ralph Machio, not the one with Brittany Spears) I've been fascinated with the story of Robert Johnson. Robert Johnson was a Southern blues singer from the 30's. Johnson originally couldn't play a lick on the guitar. That all changed, according to the myth, when one night at a crossroads he met a "Man in Black" and exchanged his soul for the ability to play. Urban Legend? Perhaps. But between his short career(Johnson only lived to be 27) and the subjects of some of his songs("Cross Road Blues," "Hellhound Blues," "Me and the Devil Blues," etc.) it seems to have gained some merit. Enough to inspire not only that movie but also this episode of SUPERNATURAL, which finds the Winchesters working a case in which people who make a deal with the demon at the crossroads gain success. But at a cost: 10 years and your time is up and the Hell Hounds come for you.
Ok, this is technically a two-part episodes, but both work together in telling the story and I couldn't choose between the two. Part one finds Sam missing and Dean racing along with their surrogate father, Bobby, to find his brother. Sam wakes up to find himself in a secluded camp with other individuals with powers similar to his. According to the Yellow-Eyed Demon, these kids are here to fight to the death in order to become his right-hand man. Just as Dean and Bobby find him, Sammy is stabbed in the back and left for dead. Part 2 finds Dean a veritable wreck: it's been a week since Sam's death and he still refuses to bury his brother. Distraught, Dean returns to the crossroads to make a deal for Sam's return. With Sammie kicking once again, the Winchesters and Bobby try to figure out what Yellow Eyes has planned. The episode title says it all.
Season 3-Episode 11: "Mystery Spot"
This episode is like a macabre version of GROUNDHOG DAY. Sam wakes up to Dean blazing some 80's rock as they get ready to investigate a case of mysterious disappearances in a small town. As the case gains some heat, Dean dies from an on-the-job accident... and than Sam wakes up to Dean blazing some 80's rock as they get ready to investigate a case. Sam is forced to relive the same day over and over, trying to alter event so it won't end with Dean's death. Not only a lot of fun(some of Dean's deaths rival that of Tom & Jerry) but meaningful to the story as the Trickster tries to teach Sam that he'll have to let go of Dean when the hell hounds come to collect.
Season 3-Episode 13: "Ghostfacers"
I love the Ghost Facers! Harry and Ed(former owners of the Hell Hound's Lair Website) had met the Winchesters prior when the boy were investigating a case that involved their website and hilarity ensued. This episode is really a parody of the show GHOST HUNTERS as Sam and Dean, investigating a haunted house case, accidentally become involved in the first episode of GHOST FACERS! I enjoy the concept of these two fan boys who think they know all there is to know about ghosts but, in truth, don't have the foggiest. While they've made a few more cameos, I wish they would appear more. Maybe a spin off series? That would be awesome!
Season 3-Episode 16: "No Rest for the Wicked"
With only 30 hours remaining before the hell hounds come for him things are looking grim for Dean Winchester as the season finale arrives. Locating Lilith, the demon who owns the contract on Dean's life, the Winchesters and Bobby hunt her down to try and kill her before the penultimate hour. Sam fairs well, finding out Lilith can't use her powers on him, but Dean... well... not so much...
Season 4-Episode 1: "Lazarus Rising"
Four months of hellfire and brimstone later, Dean Winchester finds himself once again in the land of the living and, aside from a hand mark burn on his shoulder, is in perfect condition. But why is he back? Explaining to Bobby and Sam of his return(which goes off JUST great when you deal with a family of monster hunters) they begin to investigate the circumstances of Dean's sudden return. Each brother goes off on their own, keeping secrets from one another. Sam hides the fact that once again he is teaming with the "good" demon, Ruthie, who is teaching him how to use his half-demon powers. Meanwhile Dean, along with Bobby, summon the creature that rose Dean from Hell. That creature happens to be Castiel, an angel from heaven who has special plans from God for Dean Winchester...
Season 4-Episode 5: "Monster Movie"
During Oktoberfest, Sam and Dean find themselves investigating a string of local monster attacks. Bodies start piling in at the morgue and eye witness accounts report the attacks being perpetrated by Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Mummy. There's just one problem in this monster case: these attacks resemble those of the movies than that of the real-life monsters. Very much a tribute to the classic Universal Monster films(the whole episode is even shot in black and white and replaced the classic rock soundtrack with spooky instrumentals) it is one of my favorite episodes to watch around Halloween. Maybe even more than the actual Halloween episode of the show(though that episode is good too). 
Season 4-Episode 18: "The Monster at the End of the Book"
Even when things begin to get grim, SUPERNATURAL has a way of having fun with its audience. As the Winchesters continue their search for Lilith, they come across a comic shop that's rumored to be haunted. That's when they come across SUPERNATURAL, a book series about two brothers traveling across the country in their black Impala fighting various monsters. Researching the book series, the brothers find some second rate writer who thinks these two are simply LARPing his characters before they reveal details he hasn't even written yet. According to the angels he is a prophet who has been appointed to document the accolades of Sam and Dean. While the episode does provide some insight that affects the future of the series(including Sam's secret addiction to Demon blood!) it just has so much fun with SUPERNATURAL's small yet vocal fan base. And this episode introduced me to a new term: TWINCEST! To quote Dean "Dude... WE'RE BROTHERS!!!"
All season long, Dean and Sam have been chasing after Lilith in an attempt to try and her from breaking the seals that would release Lucifer from his cage. But things are not always as they seem. Dean is kidnapped and told by the angel Zachariah that their mission is not to prevent the Apocalypse, but to cause it. Lilith's death is the final seal and, once broken, Lucifer will posses Sam, the Archangel Michael will posses Dean and the war between heaven and hell will begin. Castiel helps Dean escape to stop Sam but it's too late. Sam has killed Lilith. And as the final seal is broken, everything goes white...
After the events of the last year, Dean isn't sure he can trust his brother anymore. Yet he isn't about to accept the deal that the angels have offered him. Waking up from his slumber, Dean finds himself in an abandon town, five years in the future, and is suddenly attacked by a pack of humans who are infected by a demonic virus from Pestilence. The angel Zachariah reveals that this is the future that happens should he continue to say no to Michael. He meets his future self who, along with a group of survivors(including a powerless, alcoholic Castiel), are planning to make a last ditch effort to stop Lucifer. Of course this fails, and Dean finds out that Lucifer has possessed Sammie. Lucifer taunts Dean with the reality that, one way or another, Sam will say yes to becoming his vessel. Returned to the present, Dean still refuses Zachariah's offer and instead realizes that this is a fight that requires his brother's help to win.
With all the "Apocalypse is here" situations going on, season 5 was very stressful. Thus it was always a pleasant time seeing a light hearted episode. Which is why I love CHANGING CHANNELS. Falling into another trap set up by the TRICKSTER, Sam and Dean are trapped in a world made of television programming. SUPERNATURAL has a tendency of satirizing pop culture and this is no exception. This episode mocks everything from GREY'S ANNATOMY to CSI: MIAMI, from Japanese game shows to Valtrex Commercials and everything in between. Definitely a must-watch.
Season 5-Episode 10:"Abandon All Hope..."
With intell of where to find the Colt, the boys confront a demon named Crowley. Crowley, not wanting the Apocalypse to happen either for his own purposes, hands over the gun freely. Together with Ellen and Jo, the family of hunters from season 2, they prepare to confront Lucifer. Things do not go as planned. Lucifer survives the assault and informs Sam he will be his vessel. The boys escape with their lives, licking their wounds and mourning the ones they lost...
Now that they have the tools capable of imprisoning two power houses such as Lucifer and Michael, the question the Winchesters now face is how to get these two into the trap without starting the Apocalypse. Sam reasons that he could allow Lucifer to posses him since he should be strong enough to resist his hold... yeah, how can that go wrong? With no time left and nothing to lose, Bobby makes a deal with Crowley to learn the location of the showdown between Michael and Lucifer. Dean, Bobby, and Castiel race to the scene, Calvary style, in the Impala as they try to make one last ditch effort to reason with the newly possessed Sam. Not just an impressive season finale, but also a nice wrap up to Eric Kripke's 5-season long story arc.
Bobby has been one of my favorite characters on SUPERNATURAL(aside from Dean... Dean's just cool). Ever since his introduction towards the end of season 1 he has basically become the boy's surrogate father, always there to guide them when they need help on a case or when they need to be reminded that they're being a bunch of "idjits." So it was fun seeing him get the spot light. In this episode, Bobby is trying to figure out a way to get the contract to his soul back from Crowley. Unfortunately, he's too busy at the moment to go after it. He's providing aliases and alibis for other hunters, he's helping his former buddy Rufus get rid of a Japanese okami demon(which felt like "LETHAL WEAPON: THE GOLDEN YEARS" to me), he has to deal with an FBI agent searching for Rufus, and he also is trying the goodies(no pun intend) of the new next door neighbor who totally wants him to taste her baked goods(pun intended). My favorite moment of the show is when Dean calls Bobby to complain about his problems with Sam. Bobby is too distracted to listen and Dean accuses him of being selfish and unable to think of anyone but himself. Bobby, fed up with these two, berates both of them for being cry baby "idjits" who don't seem to realize the world doesn't revolve around them.
Season 6-Episode 15: "The French Mistake"
You know a show has a good sense of humor when it's not afraid to poke fun at it's self. With different factions waring for control of heaven, the angel Balthazar transports the Winchester's to a different dimension for their safety. In this dimension, Sam and Dean are Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, a couple of actors on a basic cable paranormal show. The sets are fake, the guns shoot blanks, and Dean's classic Impala is actually several stunt cars(all of which only have enough gas to drive onto the set). Castiel isn't an angel, but just an actor who's addicted to twitter. And Sam is married to the girl who portrayed the demon Ruby on this "show." It was just fun seeing Sam and Dean in a reality that was completely foreign to them yet so similar. Plus, finding out Bobby was named after a producer on the show was a complete "WHAT THE?!?" moment for me.
Season 6-Episode 18: "Frontierland"
When the boys find themselves facing a new threat in Eve, the "Mother of All," it appears the only way to destory her is with the ashes of a phoenix. Unfortunately, the only record of phoenix ash happens to be in the journal of Samuel Colt back in 1861. You know what that means people: it's time for Sam and Dean to go back... TO THE FUTURE!!! Yes, what better for a show filled with Americana than an episode that deals with the old West? Borrowing elements from classic Westerns(as well as the aforementioned BACK TO THE FUTURE series), it was fun seeing Dean, the wannabe Clint Eastwood, get a reality check as these real cowboys look at his duds and think him a nancy.
Season 6-Episode 20: "The Man Who Would be King"
You know that saying about the path to hell being paved with good intentions? That is the perfect synopsis for what has happened in season 6 to Castiel, the angel buddy of the Winchester brothers who has been revealed to be working with the demon Crowley. Pleading his case in hopes that his "father" will hear, he explains how after the Apocalypse was adverted, heaven was in turmoil over those who believe the crisis to be over and those who think the Apocalypse needed to take place. A war breaks out amongst the angels over the issue, pitting Cas and his brothers against one another. The only way to win this war is to have the most souls on your side. This forces him to consider an allegiance with, well, the devil he knows. It's an episode that shows the inner turmoil Cas has building up within. The pressure of war causes him to question his actions and the betrayal of trust to Sam and especially Dean, who has been like a brother to him, is heartbreaking.
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Be sure to catch the new season of SUPERNATURAL airing FRIDAYS at 9pm (eastern)
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