For fans diving into the world of Supernatural, season 1 marks the beginning of the thrilling journey of the Winchester brothers. While the inaugural season lays the foundation for the epic saga, it’s a mix of monster-of-the-week episodes and crucial mythology builders. To help navigate through the initial adventures of Sam and Dean, this Supernatural Season Episode Guide pinpoints the must-watch episodes and those you can confidently skip, ensuring you experience the best of season 1 without wading through filler.
Life is too short for mediocre TV, especially when you’re eager to get to the heart of a compelling story. Supernatural definitely evolves into a fantastic show, and while season 1 has its moments, it also features episodes that are simply standard or, frankly, not up to par. This guide is crafted to streamline your viewing experience, directing you straight to the episodes that matter and contribute to the overarching narrative and character development. Let’s get started and uncover the gems of Supernatural season 1.
“Pilot”: Watch it. No series journey is complete without experiencing its pilot episode, and Supernatural‘s debut is a solid introduction to the Winchester brothers and their world. It effectively sets the tone, introducing the core themes of family, hunting, and the supernatural. While the visual effects might show their age (mom on the ceiling, anyone?), the episode’s essence – the brothers’ dynamic and their mission – is unmistakably Supernatural. It’s essential viewing to understand where it all began.
“Wendigo”: Skip it. This episode falls into the typical monster-of-the-week category. While it showcases the brothers hunting a Wendigo, it doesn’t significantly advance the plot or offer unique character insights. It’s a straightforward monster hunt that, while not terrible, is ultimately skippable without missing crucial story elements.
“Dead in the Water”: Skip it. Unless you’re a dedicated fan of Amy Acker pre-Person of Interest fame, this episode is largely dispensable. It’s another standalone case involving water spirits, and while competently made, it doesn’t add much to the overarching Supernatural narrative or character development.
“Phantom Traveler”: Watch it. This episode is a worthwhile watch, not for major plot progression, but for its engaging storyline and a memorable moment. It features the first instance of the Winchesters using a book to exorcise a spirit, showcasing their resourcefulness. While not strictly essential, it’s an entertaining episode that hints at the expanding lore and methods of dealing with the supernatural. If you’re pressed for time, it’s a borderline case, but leaning towards “watch” for its enjoyable content.
“Bloody Mary”: Skip it. Despite the iconic horror figure, this episode is skippable. It treads familiar territory and doesn’t offer significant advancements in the plot or character development. While it explores the urban legend of Bloody Mary, it’s considered a weaker episode in the season and won’t leave you missing out on key Supernatural elements.
“Skin”: Skip it. While “Skin” introduces shapeshifters to the Supernatural universe, the concept is fairly self-explanatory, and the episode itself isn’t particularly compelling. The shapeshifter storyline doesn’t deeply impact the season’s main arc, making this episode skippable without losing crucial information.
“Hook Man”: Skip it. “Hook Man” is often cited as one of the season’s weakest episodes. It revisits a classic urban legend, but the execution is generally considered lackluster and unmemorable. It’s safe to skip this episode without missing anything significant from season 1.
“Bugs”: Skip it. This episode is widely regarded as a low point in season 1. The plot revolving around killer bugs is poorly executed and often considered unintentionally humorous for the wrong reasons. Skipping “Bugs” is highly recommended as it doesn’t contribute positively to the viewing experience or the overall narrative.
Supernatural Season 1 promotional image featuring the Impala and the Winchester brothers.
“Home”: Watch it. “Home” marks a turning point in season 1, offering a deeper dive into Sam’s past and the supernatural events surrounding his childhood home. While drawing inspiration from Poltergeist, it introduces a personal connection to the brothers’ mission and a significant twist that adds emotional depth. This episode is crucial for understanding the Winchester family history and Sam’s unique abilities.
“Asylum”: Skip it or Watch it. This is a borderline episode. “Asylum” has a spooky atmosphere and a decent villain, set within a haunted asylum. It’s a solid monster-of-the-week episode and can be enjoyable for its eerie setting and standalone story. However, it’s not essential for the main storyline, so if you’re strictly aiming for key episodes, it can be skipped. But for fans who enjoy classic haunted location tropes, it’s a worthwhile watch.
“Scarecrow”: Watch it. “Scarecrow” is a significant episode for character development, notably marking the beginning of the brothers’ internal conflicts and disagreements, a recurring theme throughout the series. This episode also moves away from purely standalone cases and hints at larger, more sinister forces at play, making it important for the developing narrative and brotherly dynamic.
“Faith”: Watch it. “Faith” is a compelling episode that explores Dean’s vulnerability and the lengths Sam will go to save his brother. It introduces the theme of Dean’s mortality and the sacrifices made in their line of work, which becomes a recurring motif. It’s a character-driven episode that deepens the emotional stakes and is essential for understanding the brothers’ bond.
“Route 666”: Skip it. “Route 666” is generally considered a weaker episode, dealing with a racist truck possessed by a vengeful spirit. The storyline is not particularly engaging, and it doesn’t contribute to the main plot or character arcs in a meaningful way. It’s safe to skip this episode.
“Nightmare”: Watch it. “Nightmare” is an important episode as it delves further into Sam’s visions and his connection to other psychically gifted individuals, hinting at the larger destiny that awaits him. It introduces characters who share Sam’s experiences, expanding the mythology surrounding special children and foreshadowing future plot developments.
“The Benders”: You can skip it, or watch it. “The Benders” is a unique episode as it shifts focus from supernatural monsters to human antagonists – a family of kidnappers and killers. It’s a well-made, darker episode that showcases the human capacity for evil and the brothers’ skills in dealing with grounded threats. While not critical to the overarching supernatural plot, it’s a strong standalone episode that some viewers may find particularly engaging.
“Shadow”: Watch it. “Shadow” marks the return of Meg Masters, a recurring antagonist, signaling a shift towards a more serialized narrative. This episode ramps up the tension and introduces elements that directly tie into the season’s overarching storyline, making it a crucial episode for understanding the developing plot and the forces working against the Winchesters.
“Hell House”:Skip it. “Hell House” is a lighter, more comedic episode that introduces the Ghostfacers, amateur ghost hunters. While it offers some humorous moments and a break from the heavier themes, it’s ultimately a standalone episode that doesn’t significantly contribute to the main plot or character development. It can be skipped without missing key narrative elements.
“Something Wicked this Way Comes”: Watch it. “Something Wicked this Way Comes” provides valuable backstory on the Winchester brothers’ childhood and further alludes to their father’s secretive nature and past. It’s an episode that deepens the understanding of the brothers’ upbringing and the forces that have shaped them, making it a worthwhile watch for character development and familial context.
“Provenance”: Skip it. “Provenance” is another standard monster-of-the-week episode centered around a haunted painting. While competently made, it doesn’t offer significant plot progression or unique character insights. It’s a skippable episode without missing crucial elements.
“Dead Man’s Blood”: Watch it. “Dead Man’s Blood” is packed with important introductions: the Colt, a powerful weapon, and vampires. It’s a pivotal episode that expands the Supernatural mythology and introduces key elements that will become significant in later seasons. The episode also features a notable character appearance, adding to its importance.
“Salvation”: Watch it. “Salvation” is a high-stakes episode that builds towards the season finale. It intensifies the main storyline and raises the stakes for the Winchester brothers as they confront greater threats. This episode is crucial for understanding the season’s climax and setting up the finale. If you enjoy the developing narrative, “Salvation” is essential viewing.
“Devil’s Trap”: Watch it. “Devil’s Trap” is the explosive season finale and a must-watch episode. It introduces Bobby Singer, a beloved and crucial character in the Supernatural universe. The episode is packed with mythology reveals, intense moments, and a cliffhanger ending that leaves viewers eager for season 2. It’s a standout episode that encapsulates the best of Supernatural and is absolutely essential viewing.
This supernatural season episode guide allows you to experience the core narrative of Supernatural season 1 by focusing on just over half of the episodes. Skipping the less impactful ones ensures a more streamlined and engaging viewing experience. While season 2 is widely considered a step up in quality, and subsequent seasons continue to evolve the series, understanding the foundational elements introduced in these key season 1 episodes is crucial for appreciating the Supernatural saga as a whole. Enjoy diving into the thrilling world of Sam and Dean Winchester!
