Honorable Mentions
There are a few episodes that wouldn't necessarily make my Top 20 list, but definitely warrant mentioning - either because they moved the storyline in a new direction or contain a favorite scene of mine.
Skin - Season 1
Jensen Ackles took his shirt off. Period.
I love you, Supernatural.
Home - Season 1
This was the first episode that really started the overall mythology kick that ramped up in later seasons. I think it was one of the first episodes where we saw Dean cry, which is always somehow manly. I don't know how he does it. I honestly can't think of another male character who cries more than Dean (in fact, my friend Tamara and I argue about who cries more - Dean Winchester or Jack Shephard from Lost), but it never fails to touch me.
It was cool to get a look little into the boys' past and to see their mother again. Mary Winchester has appeared many times throughout the series (apparently people remain as dead on Supernatural as they do on Lost), but I love her character, so I'm always happy to see her. We also got our first real peak at John Winchester, which was awesome. While I wouldn't characterize this episode as one of my favorites, I still liked the look into the Winchester family and the focus on the family mythology.
Faith - Season 1
Looking back on this episode, we realize that we don't often see Sam step into the "protective brother" role as much as Dean does. That's understandable, of course, because Dean is the older brother. But early on in season 1 we got to see a role reversal. I feel like this was the first really serious episode that the show attempted. Heavy themes were present - who should live, who should die, is one life worth more than another? Toss in a moving performance by the always-lovely Julie Benz (from Buffy, Angel and Dexter), and you have a sad, serious episode in a show that was just starting to find its legs.
Hell House - Season 2 & Ghostfacers - Season 3
Apparently there are numerous people who didn't like the "Ghostfacers" episode. I can understand why, but I feel differently. I mention these two episodes for a few reasons - not the least of which is the fact that they introduced me to some of my favorite characters: Ed Zeddmore and Harry Spengler. The two of them are like geeky, hilarious foils to Sam and Dean and I love whenever they pop up. "Hell House" is a great episode, in an of itself, especially for the utterly ridiculous prank wars between Sam and Dean that somehow - blessedly - led to a shot of Padalecki in a towel. Listen, I'm a Dean!girl, but even I can appreciate this photo. I mean, I'm not completely blind.
By the way, did you know that a Ghostfacers webseries will be premiering on April 15? Check out the official website.
Bad Day at Black Rock - Season 3
You're going to wonder why I'm not putting this episode in my top 20 and I really can't explain it (seriously, I can't justify it, no matter how much you might want to argue with me). As funny as this episode is - and believe me, it's funny - I just couldn't do it. But I can tell you that my absolute favorite scene in this episode - nay, my favorite Sam line EVER - is Padalecki's spot-on, little-boy delivery of "I lost my shoe". You can't just make up that kind of funny, people. That kind of funny is priceless.
My Bloody Valentine - Season 5
This episode contained one of the most disgusting deaths ever featured on this show. And that's in a series that has a great many disgusting deaths (like the guy who died from a table saw in his back in season 2). The scene at the very beginning where the couple literally ate each other to death had me wishing I hadn't eaten that day.
It also contained one of my favorite scenes of the show: when the woman shoots her boyfriend's co-worker and the boyfriend moans about how something will always keep them apart, including family and sleep, and she replied "now prison, maybe" (cut to the dead co-worker's leg falling from his chair). I don't know why I love that scene, but it's one of my favorites.
So we have gross and funny down in the same episode, and that's augmented by the entire scene with Cupid, which is funny in its own right. But it's the last scene with Ackles - Dean out alone in Bobby's scrap yard, praying to a God he's not even sure he believes in - that warrants the honorable mention. Brings a tear to my eye every time.
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid - Season 5
Jim Beaver made me cry. I hate Jim Beaver for making me cry. I hate him for making Bobby brave and heartbroken in this episode and breaking my stupid heart and making me cry. Damn him.
It's about time we really got a Bobby-centric episode (the one about the poker doesn't count) and Beaver knocked it out of the park. The zombies eating people were gross, Dean's insistence that Bobby is a member of their family was adorable and sweet, and the action scene at the end in Bobby's house (with Sam and the sheriff saving the day) was awesome. This episode deserves a honorable mention for all of these reasons, but especially because of that guy who made me cry.
Watch 3 sneak peeks from the upcoming 100th episode of Supernatural - airing on April 15!
Email: clarissa @ tvovermind.com
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We share a lot of the same favourites, Clarissa. :) I am not usually a fan of the comedy episodes, but Tall Tales, Bad Day at Black Rock completely cracked me up, and as you can see by the avatar, I am a HUGE fan of the cat in the locker scene :D :DI think Nightshifter was my fave F**K YA!! episode.Least loved- Croatoan, Bugs, Rte 666.Sammy scared me with his Lucifer persona, as well as being possessed in Born Under a Bad sign *shudders*.I have the tissues ready for tomorrow night's episode… :(
I can't stop laughing at your commentary. Ackles should totally copyright the One Perfect Tear (TM), because he's just too good at pretty crying.
buffy the vampire slayer successfully incorporated all those elements you mentioned – horror, sometimes. comedy – god yes. drama – yes.
I love my show. Awesome choices too, my friend. It's just similar to my favorites except maybe 2 or 3 episodes but I agree. Supernatural is a haven to us weary travelers and I'm glad I found it early and continued with it through this amazing journey.
Sarah, you're absolutely right! Definitely didn't mean to diss Buffy in any way (I am a die-hard fan with all of the DVDs). Although, other than SPN and Buffy, there's not a lot of shows that incorporate all of these elements successfully.
Lol, funnily I was going to point out that Buffy did the genre-blending just as well ( if not better) but I noticed someone else beat me to it. Glad to know you love Buffy too, it is definitely by far my favorite show ever, with 'Angel' in second and 'Supernatural' in third. I mostly agree with all of you choices although I would have to have 'Monster at the End of This Book', 'Free to be You and Me', and 'Faith', in there somewhere. Though I'm not sure which of your choices I would switch out, probably 'Hollywood Babylon' but I'm not sure what else.I totally love your write ups and agree with everything you said. I lol'd at the Dean's gorgeous crying part too, =D. Your list made me realize even more why I love 'Supernatural' so much and I am sooo psyched for tonight's episode! I just started the show last Thanksgiving and finished all the already aired episodes around February. I agree about Season 4 being the best Season, for me the show is split into 2 categories. Seasons 1-3 which I like and occasionally love, and Seasons 4 and 5 which I ADORE completely. I think a lot of that has to do with a certain nerdy guy with wings but also with the interesting and exciting new mythology, plots, humor, and character development. I'd say my main gripe with the show overall is how it kills off all of the female characters and sometimes comes off as kinda anti-feminist. But hey, I'm a Buffy fan so I realize I have very high standards for excellent, well-developed, powerful, and funny female characters. Also, Castiel makes up for pretty much any issues I have with the show….Anyways, now that this ramble is over I'm going to go do my homework so I can focus on 'Point of No Return' tonight! Love the list!
You know what? I really wanted to include "The Monster at the End of this Book" "Free to be You and Me" (if only for the Cas at the brothel scene" and "Faith". Like I said, I had SUCH a hard time narrowing the list down to 20. I agonized over it for DAYS.Glad you liked the article!
I believe the character Martin in Hollywood Babylon is a little scifi in-joke, a reference to the character Martin from Stargate SG-1 Season 5 ep "Wormhole X-Treme!"….the writer and creative consultant for a tv show that suspiciously resembles the SGC, who is actually an alien-in-hiding who has turned his experiences and knowledge of the SGC people and operations into a tv franchise. ;-)
:) Yeah, I'm a huge Buffy fan too. You're right, SPN and BtVS are kinda in a league of its own..a perfect mix of all the necessary factors to make it a fantastic show!