Chances are, if you’ve known me for a while (or maybe even just a few hours), you are aware of the fact that “Supernatural” is my favorite TV show. I try not to bring up the beloved Winchester brothers and their fellows too often in day to day conversation to avoid bothering my non-fan friends, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think about them a lot of the time. “Supernatural” is akin to one of its troublesome ghosts, haunting me morning to night. I’m in need of my own pair of hunters or a salt gun to keep the continuous “Supernatural” thoughts at bay. It seems that everything can relate to the show. I hear a Bob Seger song. Supernatural. I see pie at a restaurant. Supernatural. I meet someone named Sam. Supernatural. A light flickers. Supernatural. You get the jist. I’ve found the best remedy to be writing--specifically, writing about the show to get it out of my system for a bit.
11 seasons deep and still rocking, “Supernatural” has no shortage of amazing episodes that call for re-watching (and maybe even re-re-watching), so I decided to round up my favorite episode from each season. It was quite an arduous task given that I could probably pick 10 favorites from every season rather than just one, but nonetheless, I selected what I believe to be the best of the best.
Season 1 Top Pick: “The Benders”
One Sentence Summary: Sam gets kidnapped by a psychotic family that relishes in the catching and releasing of humans to hunt, sending Dean on a frantic search for his little brother alongside a no-nonsense sheriff.
Dean’s relieved to find Sammy in one piece
Favorite Quote: Dean (on Sam): “It’s my job to keep him safe, I’m just afraid if we don’t find him fast...please, he’s my family.”
Best Scene: The cute ending when Dean tells Sam never to go missing like that again. Most of my top scenes will probably be the bromantic ones because the brotherhood of the Winchesters is the heart of the show.
Why I love it: This episode is neat because it’s one of the few episodes that involves human “monsters.” The concept is intriguing because it illuminates the gritty reality of this often-times messed up world. There are sickos out there, and they don’t need fangs or super strength to do harm. Juxtaposing the brothers with the filthy, maniacal human-killers shows just how selfless and good they are because the bad they’ve done pales in comparison with the horrors the human-killers have orchestrated. I also like seeing the brothers young and smiling, not yet burdened with the onerous task of saving the entire world.
Season 2 Top Pick: “What Is and What Should Never Be”
One Sentence Summary: Dean is attacked by a Djinn, placing him in an alternate reality in which things seem perfect--his mom is alive, he has a gorgeous wife, Sam’s in school, etc., but there is a catch, Sam and Dean are barely brothers and without hunting, they have nothing in common.
Dean, his wife, and Sam enjoying Mary Winchester’s birthday dinner
Favorite Quote: Sam (to Dean): “Whatever stupid thing you’re about to do, you’re not doing it alone and that’s that.”
Best Scene: Dean seeing his Mom for the first time in the alternate reality. She tells him what she said to him as a child and he instantly rockets into her arms, at last reunited.
Why I love it: The Djinn are incredibly cool creatures, so any episode including one of the glowing-blue-eyed, heavily tattooed beings instantly entices me. Plus, getting to see Dean with his mom, and Sam with Jess, in a non-hunting world is interesting in its own right. Though it is weird and a tad heartbreaking to hear Sam reveal that he and Dean don’t talk much in the alternate reality, Sam does end up sticking by Dean’s side when he notices him acting cryptic. In the end, Dean stabs himself to escape the Djinn’s spell and awakes to find a worried Sam. I love that Dean had the willpower to leave his fantasy land; Sam appreciated it too, as he admitted in one of the Winchester’s heart-to-hearts.
Season 3 Top Pick: “A Very Supernatural Christmas”
One Sentence Summary: It’s the holiday season, and Sam and Dean are up against two pagan gods that adopt the personas of a sweet older man and woman in order to get their yearly sacrifices.
Major awww moment
Favorite Quote: Dean: "Is it the serial killing chimney sweep?" Sam: "Yup, it’s actually Dick Van Dyke."
Best Scene: When Sam surprises Dean with eggnog, gifts, and a merrily festooned motel room. Though there's a bit of a solemn undertone, as they believed it would be Dean’s last Christmas, the moment's still filled with joy and love.
Why I love it: As of now, I’m feeling extra fond of this episode, pushing it a smidgen past “Mystery Spot,” which is one of the best episodes of all time. I’ll probably be wishy-washy and consider it the second best of the season later on, but presently, the Christmas one gets the golden star. Why? For one thing, I’m obsessed with Christmas--obsessed, obsessed...there is no cure. Secondly, we get to witness the birth of the samulet, a necklace loved and revered by all (maybe even more than some of the characters). Thirdly, the pagan gods are awesome villains--it’s the apparently docile, sweater-set owners that make for the best conniving creeps. Fourthly, I enjoyed the many seeds of comedy planted throughout the episode--Sam irking one of Santa’s elves, Sam being called “fussy” and Dean agreeing with a chuckle, the brothers caroling, and Dean saying he would fudging kill the pagan gods if they touched him.
Season 4 Top Pick: “After School Special”
One Sentence Summary: Sam and Dean return to one of their old high schools to rid its halls of a vengeful ghost, Dean playing gym teacher while Sam takes on the role of the janitor.
Not sure Dean understands the proper way to teach a gym class
Favorite Quote: Sam’s teacher (to Sam): “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do...the point is, there may be three or four big choices that shape someone’s whole life and you need to be the one that makes them, not anyone else.”
Best Scene: The sentimental closing scene in which Sam goes back to his supportive, kind-hearted teacher and thanks him for taking an interest in Sam when no one else seemed to.
Why I love it: Since this episode is set predominantly in a school, I’ll reveal the ABC’s of my love for it. A: Atmosphere--the high school atmosphere brings me back to my own high school days (minus the vengeful spirit possession and bloodshed). B: Big brother--Unlike the too-cool-for-school older brothers portrayed in many books and TV shows that ignore their younger siblings during school hours to avoid being "lame," Dean makes an effort to say hi to Sam even in the judgy teen-infested halls. C: Costume--seeing Dean as an aggressive, drill sergeant-esque gym teacher was priceless.
Season 5 Top Pick: “Swap Meat”
One Sentence Summary: A nerdy teen with overbearing parents uses black magic to switch bodies with Sam, and it’s up to Dean to get his brother back to normal.
Not Sam’s usual attire
Favorite Quote: Sam (to Gary): “Rebel a little bit, in a healthy, non-satanic way.”
Best Scene: The bar scene was hilarious, including Gary (as Sam) awkwardly purchasing a banana daiquiri, shoving his ID into the bartender’s face, and being clueless when a woman was trying to get him to leave with her.
Smooth, Gary, real smooth...
Why I love it: Three words--it is hysterical. (And I mean hysterical.)
Season 6 Top Pick: “The French Mistake”
One Sentence Summary: Balthazar sends the brothers to an alternate universe where they are Jared and Jensen acting as the Winchesters on a TV show called “Supernatural.”
Favorite Quote: Sam (to Dean): "We landed in some dimension where you’re Jensen Ackles and I’m something called a Jared Padalecki."
Best Scene: When Sam and Dean are trying to ace the whole acting thing and fail miserably. I could watch that scene a billion times and it would never get old.
Sam follows Dean’s sage advice to never look at the camera
Why I love it: The Supernatural episodes that tend to resonate with me the most are those that either take my heart and crush it under an 8 ton truck of sadness, or those that make me laugh like a lunatic. This episode did the latter. Think about it: Jensen and Jared acting as Sam and dean acting as Jensen and Jared. Check. Misha Collins acting as Misha Collins acting as Cas. Check. Genevieve Padalecki acting as herself (who Sam and Dean know as the demon, Ruby). Check. Sounds like a tongue twister. This episode also pokes fun at how a stereotypical Hollywood actor is supposed to live--a sprawling mansion equipped with a tanning bed and massive portraits, charity dinners for obscure animals, etc. It hits all the bases and has to be one of the greatest episodes out of every season.
Sam and "fake Ruby"--as Dean calls her upon their first meeting
Season 7 Top Pick: “The Born-Again Identity”
One Sentence Summary: As Lucifer continues to mentally torture Sam, Dean tirelessly seeks out a cure for his brother’s madness, finding an amnesia-ridden Cas along the way.
Favorite Quote: Lucifer (on Sam and Dean) “Awww...you guys are having a moment.”
Best Scene: When Sam tells Dean he’s too tired to get upset about his condition, implying he’s given up. This is a touching scene because it parallels a scene from an earlier season in which roles are reversed and Dean tells Sam that he’s tired and ready to throw in the towel.
Why I love it: First of all, Mark Pellegrino is awesome as Lucifer. He’s sadistic, yet oddly charming. Along with Mark, Jared plays his role seamlessly, an impressive feat, considering he has to act completely exhausted and mentally tormented. Plus, Dean having to interact with “Emmanuel” (Cas without his memory), is interesting to watch. Another highlight for me is sweet Sam insisting on helping a girl being haunted by her dead brother, even while he himself is in poor shape.
Lucifer messing with Sam
Season 8 Top Pick: “Pac-Man Fever”
One Sentence Summary: Charlie teams up with a sick Sam and an overprotective Dean in the hunt for whatever supernatural being has been liquefying its victims.
Favorite Quote: Dean (to Sam after a spontaneous hug): "What do you say we find our prophet?"
Best Scene: The ending, when Dean marches up to Sam and gives him a big hug instead of chastising him for joining them on the hunt when he’s been under the weather.
Why I love it: Reason One: Charlie. I love any episode with that super smart ray of sunshine. Reason Two: Charlie and Dean bonding. They’re family regardless of the different blood running through their veins. Reason Three: Dean’s endearing concern for Sam and Sam’s obstinance in regards to resting. Almost like a father and son.
Season 9 Top Pick: “Bad Boys”
One Sentence Summary: Sam learns that Dean once was in a boy’s home when they go back to help get rid of a dangerous ghost killing its residents.
Favorite Quote: Sam (to Dean): “Dean, thank you...for always being there, for having my back...I know it always hasn’t been easy”
Best Scene: A flashback scene in which young Dean is excitedly getting ready for a dance when his dad shows up with Sam. He looks out the window at Sammy playing with a toy plane and smiles with tears in his eyes, deciding to give up his new home to stay with his brother. I always cry at this part. Dylan Everett is an extremely talented actor. 
Why I love it: It’s the perfect combination: loyal, loving, brotherly Dean + grateful, loving, brotherly Sam + sweet flashbacks + Sam finding out about D-Dawg + Dean teaching a kid how to stand up to bullies + some cool action scenes.
Season 10 Top Pick: “Fan Fiction”
One Sentence Summary: Sam and Dean are surprised to find out that a high school is putting on a “Supernatural” musical all about their lives.
Director Dean...has he found a new career?
Favorite Quote: Dean: "There is no singing in Supernatural."
Best Scene: I’d be remiss if I chose any scene other than the final one because it marks the return of the samulet, albeit a lesser version of it, but it symbolizes the same thing: their brotherhood. Dean takes the prop samulet from the musical and hangs it up in the Impala as the drive off into the night.
An exchange of smiles after Dean brings back the samulet
Why I love it: It’s not everyday that your favorite TV show has a musical about itself performed in an episode, so naturally I was immediately taken with it. The songs are catchy and wheedle their way into your head when you are trying to focus on work or fall asleep. I especially enjoyed the rendition of "Carry On My Wayward Son"--I got goosebumps. And I much appreciate the funny, fandom-esue terms brought up, like subtext and shipping.
Season 11 Top Pick: “Baby”
One Sentence Summary: The episode in which the whole thing is filmed from the POV of the inside of the Impala.
Favorite Quote: Sam (to Dean): "We are home."
Best Scene: The brothers genuinely happy and grinning as they sing along to “Night Moves” in the Impala. Such a sweet, normal moment, untarnished by gloom and the usual gore. Never fails to put a smile on my face.
Why I love it: Baby is such a vital part of “Supernatural,” and even though she’s a car, she signifies so much more than that. (Yes, I’m referring to Baby as a “she”--channeling my inner-Dean.) Baby has been there from day one. She represents home for Sam and Dean, the place in which they are side by side, singing, crying, laughing, and yelling. She embodies “the road so far,” the hardships and the hunts, the Winchesters’ tenacity and strength as they trudge on through the deaths and the heartache, never giving up. We got a glimpse at the simple stuff, like the car washing, the eating, the bickering, the phone calls, the gas station stops, etc.; and I loved every second of it.
There you have it, the ultimate “Supernatural” episodes (in my opinion). In less than two months, season 12 begins, meaning that my favorites list will grow and grow. Let me know what your favorites are in the comments.
I still feel slightly guilty at my leaving out of certain stellar episodes (Mystery Spot, Swan Song, Just My Imagination, Sacrifice, Red Meat, Don’t Call Me Shurley, etc.) that just fell short of the ultra-stellar ones I included. I guess that’s a testament to the show’s high quality and consistency when it comes to keeping the viewers captivated and craving more.
Though I’m assuming if you’ve read this article, you are already a fan--maybe even a superfan--just in case you aren’t, do as following: Watch “Supernatural,” and have a superb day!
