Supernatural Review pt.1 (season 1)

So I've been watching Supernatural and this blog is going to be me going episode by episode with my opinions XD (I'm already on season 13 so some of these will be a real call back) I'm still working on this but it's going to be a little slow for updates bc Supernatural got taken down on Netflix, rip

Season 1

Ep.1 Pilot: The pilot is honestly really good. Watching it for the first time, it drew me in, which is difficult for a lot of shows to do. The "Dad's on a hunting trip, and he hasn't been home for a few days." with no context made me want to know what Dean was talking about, and even who he and Sam were. It set up the premise of a monster-of-the-week type show while still hinting at a larger story related to their mother's death that made me want to see more. It also starts the trend of Sam being put in uncomfortable situations with varying women, dead or alive. Seriously. Worst running joke in the show aside from Dean's porn addiction. I can't express enough how tired I got of like whole episodes being jokes on Sam being accosted and harrassed by varying women (that one episode with that old lady and the one where Bobby inherited a fortune come to mind). Overall a good starting episode, really shows the potential of what the show will go on to become. (•﹏•;)

Ep.2 Wendigo: I skip this episode on rewatches. I'm not going to lie. I just can't with the way they pronounce wendigo. Why do they say when-dee-go instead of when-dih-go. My best guess I can toss at this is that they were filming in the woods and you're technically not supposed to say the creatures name out loud in the real folklore so they mispronounced it on purpose to be respectful? But either way the episode itself is pretty good. The introduction that people will have pushback when you tell them there are paranormal things, rather than just believing these two weird brothers who showed up out of nowhere. It's somewhat spooky, not the best and not the worst, but I basically dock points just for the mispronunciation of the wendigo. (￢_￢;)

Ep.3 Dead in the Water: Loved this one. The twist at the end was immaculate, and the fact that they addressed how suspicious they are, walking in and saying they're from the fish and game service. It also digs a little deeper into their character, showing how Dean craves some form of family structure, and how Sam says in the beginning that Dean's never been interested in kids, but even in the episode he shows how good he is with kids. I love the little details shown before it's even fully revealed to what extent Dean raised Sam that he's used to dealing with young children and taking care of them. The episode itself was honestly pretty creepy, especially with the people drowning in the sink and the bathtub, not just the lake. The idea that this unknown thing could get you anywhere there was water was very interesting and chilling. ( ´﹀` )

Ep.4 Phantom Traveler: This one was far more comedic than the previous ones. Especially with Dean's fear of planes. They do quick work of characterizing the boys and telling us about their fears, aspirations, etc. Despite it's somewhat comedic jokes about Dean's phobia, it does take itself seriously and the storyline and concept aren't bad. There are definitely high stakes moments, and it's the first time we see them deal with a demon, so it's an important introduction to the monster that we'll see the most of later on. (ㅅ´ ˘ `)

Ep.5 Bloody Mary: From the set up to the ending, this episode is honestly really good. The idea of this ghost relentlessly going after people it thinks have done wrong or who feel guilty about something, only to finally be defeated by looking at herself in the mirror and realizing she has done wrong. But let's talk about Sam's part in this story, because it is a pivotal moment in our knowledge of him as a character and his mental state after what happened to Jess. The sheer guilt he feels honestly endears me to him as a character. The fact that this thing, that is not his fault makes him feel so guilty because he had some random dreams about it and dismissed them, despite nothing being in his control, is huge. The way they ensure that we can tell that it haunts him, while also introducing his psychic premonition. °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

Ep. 6 Skin: Oh. My. God. This episode is GREAT!!!! The dilemma for Dean! The simultaneous lack of morality but understandability of the shape shifter and his loneliness! That scene of the shapeshifter changing out of Dean's skin was IMMACULATE! The music choice combined with the utter rawness of the scene is great. Genuinely one of my favorite episodes in season 1. ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

Ep. 7 Hook Man: Honestly not super memorable. I remember the basic concept of the episode, but not a whole ton of details. Not the strongest episode in season 1 but certainly not the worst. It's a very standard Supernatural episode, not worth skipping but not worth seeking out to watch either.

Ep. 8 Bugs: I skipped this one. I have a severe bug phobia so I don't really have much to say on this. I skip it on every rewatch, and genuinely I don't think it's a necessary watch.

Ep. 9 Home: YES! HELL YEAH!!! this one is great!! the dilemma for everyone, the realization that their mother is still there trapped in that house! The horrible act inviting other spirits to live there!! and MISSOURI MOSELEY!!! HELL YEAH! Genuinely a character they should've used WAY more often. Her telling Dean to not put his feet on the table before he does it is GOLD. Also John Winchester when I get you, when I get you John Winchester. The introduction of John as a character and not just a figure the boys talk about was good, the fact that he's keeping an eye on his boys as well. He's still a jackass abusive father though. If John Winchester has no haters, I am six feet underground. 

Ep. 10 Asylum: While originally seeming like the most standard Supernatural monster-of-the-week type episode, it takes a turn when Dr. Ellicott targets Sam. The brother pitted against brother is great, Dean's distress when he realizes he didn't make the call. And then at the very end John calling. This is where a little bit of the plot, and character development between the boys, starts to pick up. Even as a monster-of-the-week episode it's good. It's a classic crazy haunted asylum, and you can't really go wrong with that. 

Ep. 11 Scarecrow: Okay I feel like this one is better than some people give it credit for, cause I never see it mentioned on lists of good episodes. Because Dean and Sam having a fight, Sam leaving to try and find their father after being told not to look for him and meeting Meg, and then Dean going off to investigate this sleepy town where nothing can be wrong just because his father told him to is such a good plotline. It introduces how the boys have different relationships with their father. And then the town attempting to sacrifice one of their own to a hidden deity. It's also, if I remember correctly, the introduction of pagan deities into the Supernatural world. Also the design of the scarecrow was genuinely quite creepy. And Sam coming back at the last second really exemplifies the bond that the Winchester brothers have. Overall, a pretty good episode that simultaneously furthers the plot and the individual character growth. 

Ep. 12 Faith: This was another really good episode, but the beginning is a little rushed. It actually took me a few watches to realize that Dean got electrocuted. But I definitely got that something bad happened, and something was wrong with his heart. His prognosis was a month and this is when Sam desperately tries to find a solution. This is the first time we really see one of the boys get seriously hurt, like mortally wounded, on a hunt. And, the first, but certainly not the last, time we'll see one of them turn to paranormal means to save the other. Supernatural using a faith healer who is controlling a reaper in order to heal others, however someone died in their stead, was fascinating. And the added plot point that it was the wife, not the husband, who enslaved the reaper, and allowed the Reverend to believe he was a legitimate faith healer, was an added bit of complexity.

Ep. 13 Route 666: No. Just no. One of the worst Supernatural episodes to ever exist. I. I don't. I don't even know man. It's a racist truck. A racist ghost truck. Like by the title I thought it was gonna be like a dead hitchhiker or something but no. Racist truck. And then there was like Dean's former love interest which was a good show of how the boys moved around a lot and their general childhood but still. Racist ghost truck. Who approved this episode?

Ep. 14 Nightmare: Honestly, I didn't remember this one at all. That is, until I looked it up for a quick refresher on the plot. This episode actually hit pretty hard, mainly because of the ideas it brings up, like questions about Sam's powers and what they mean. It also introduces other people with Sam's same powers, revealing a larger plot. Max killing people becomes a reflection of what Sam fears he will become, and in the end gets close to becoming just what he was terrified of being. Overall, a really good episode that brings up some questions, but somewhat unmemorable. 

Ep. 15 The Benders: This episode was weird but awesome. Supernatural addressing that oftentimes humans are scarier than the monsters the boys face. The monsters don't have nuance, a vampire didn't choose to become a bloodthirsty beast, but it still needs to be put down. With human, it's a choice, a lifestyle, and the way they chose to display that was truly horrifying. A family that hunts humans and keeps body parts as trophies is a morally deplorable concept to the average person. Where one could understand that a vampire, werewolf, or ghoul feeds because they are hungry, the human does not have the same reasoning. 

Ep. 16 Shadow: The Return of Meg!! Basically Meg sics shadow demon creature things on the boys and sets a trap for their father. I remember really enjoying it when I first watched it, but there was a scene that sort of bothered me. The one where, in order to buy time, Sam pretends like he's still interested in Meg and it's lowkey kind of weird. Not the weirdest thing in Supernatural, but still a weird choice. Also what's with Sam and these demon chicks. I almost forgot about Ruby for a while but this reminded me that this happens more than once. Again, interesting choices in my opinion, but it does add things to his character, at least in the earlier seasons. 

Ep. 17 Hell House: Okay I actually really liked this one only because it subverts what you think it's going to be. Like everything points to ghost, it's obviously a ghost, until it's revealed that it's only a ghost because people believe it's a ghost, and that, by it then confirming people's suspicions, it creates a cycle. I will say that I wish they did more with the idea of a tulpa later in the series, since it's such an interesting monster. I feel like once we get into the whole heaven-and-hell thing, all of the other cool subplots, ideas, and monsters kind of fall to the wayside, and instead of bringing back old ideas, they make new ones (I'm looking at you, leviathan)

Ep. 18 Something Wicked: I LOVE what this episode does for Dean's character and revealing a little bit more about his childhood and dealing with John while also trying to take care of Sam. The reveal that it was the very same thing, a Shtriga, that Dean failed to save Sam from before is great, and the guilt and shame he feels because his father placed so much on him as a child really gives a window into why Dean is the way he is, throwing himself in harm's way as long as it means Sam is safe, not caring about his own life. His father trained him to only care about one thing: Sam's safety.

Ep. 19 Providence: Honestly, in the face of the past few episodes, this one strikes me as lackluster. The only saving grace is that it really capitalizes and expands on Sam's struggle with losing Jess and the guilt he feels for simply considering someone else. But other than that, cursed painting isn't that insane of a concept for Supernatural, but it is interesting. Though it does get like 4 extra points for containing Sam's quote, "Low-sodium freaks."

Ep. 20 Dead Man's Blood: I think this is the first time we see vampires, as well as the first time we truly get a look at John, Dean, and Sam's current relationship. Also can't forget the introduction of the Colt, which will haunt the narrative for the remaining 14 seasons. Other than that I don't remember much, but I do remember liking the episode. 

Ep. 21 Salvation: This is a good, frantic episode. Meg is killing John's fellow hunters and he has to concede to giving her the Colt, except he uses a fake and gets captured. The boys try to protect a new child from becoming a victim to Azazel, like Sam. It's drama filled, and perfectly sets up for the final episode of the season. While it is, admittedly, a lot of plot building, it does it well, and in a way that keeps the watcher's attention.

Ep. 22 Devil's Trap: The final episode of the season. I have to say that this episode was about as good as it could have been. They exorcise Meg, and race off to find their father. Except, it's not their father. And how do they find that out? Why, because he says he's proud of Dean of course, something John would never say (I really hate John Winchester) and then proceeds the beg Sam to kill him the second he regains control. Sam shoots him in the leg but doesn't kill him, and Azazel gets away. So near the end of the episode, Sam is injured, John is shot, and Dean is bleeding internally. And then, guess what. THEY GET HIT BY A SEMI-TRUCK DRIVEN BY A DEMON!!! Perfect ending, no notes, we see that Sam is alive so we know that's not the end, but the way there's no emotion in his voice when he's trying to wake John up but he only really starts panicking when he realizes that Dean isn't awake is great. Supernatural does such a great job portraying an abnormal family dynamic where Dean plays both the father and the older brother, and yet him and Sam are often portrayed as equals, not like one thinks that they are better than the other. 

Ending notes: Overall, season 1 has to be one of my favorite seasons. The only reason it isn't definitely my favorite is because I also love when Castiel is introduced, but plot wise it's so good to just rewatch. It's comfortable, there's mysteries that aren't world-ending and the boys are happy, but there's still that darker paranormal theme we look for in Supernatural. It's everything that got watchers hooked on the story in the first place.