Your Favorite Supernatural Episode
Alice‘s Favorite Supernatural Episode
It’s almost like asking which child you love more. However, anyone whose read any of my stuff knows the answer to this one. I constantly refer to it, heck, I even listed it as number one of the best episodes. Granted, that was a critical conclusion and doesn’t necessarily mean it’s my favorite episode. In this case though, it is.
Mystery Spot
Yes, “On The Head of A Pin,” “The Monster At The End of This Book,” and “When The Levee Breaks” came VERY close. However, its great writing that wins me over (being writer centric and all) and no episode in the series is better written than “Mystery Spot.” Snappy dialogue, a clever plot built around the repeating premise that kept us engaged from the first second, a creative and hysterical story involving a main character dying over and over again, yet a dark message that made us worry very, very much about Sammy by the end.
Given the complicated premise that must be skillfully executed in just 40 minutes, the directing is flawless and fully brings out Sam’s stunning constant roller coaster of emotions over his long ordeal. Given that it’s also Kim Manners, that isn’t too much of a shock. The special effects are incredible, especially with Dean’s cartoonish deaths, the outrageous sets are out of this world, complimenting the implausible and wacky premise, and the pacing quick and entertaining that didn’t let up the entire episode.
Oh, but forget the critical viewpoint. Why did I love it personally? Everything about the episode still makes me howl. Asia’s “Heat of The Moment?” That’s the wake up song? That’s even better than “I Got You Babe.” Death by taco? An accidental axing? The daily hot sauce encounter? The Mystery Spot itself is even hilarious, pointing out just how ridiculous a tourist trap can be. Oh, but it’s the return of The Trickster, a villain we enjoyed in “Tall Tales” that thrills me the most. He was always one of my favorites, and he is positively brilliant in this one. He refuses to let Sam off the hook so easily, but in the end, couldn’t outlast that stubborn Winchester streak. His final point about Sam being unable to let go really hit home with us. Okay, maybe just me.
Dean’s actual death really got to me, and we get a glimpse of what life without Dean would be like for Sam. It isn’t pretty. Sam’s spiral those last six months into a heartless killer is pretty shocking to watch, and I love how the episode went from funny to tragic without missing a beat. It ends though with one of the most touching, poignant brotherly moments of the show. The hug to end all hugs, and it is a long time coming. Also, Sam’s despondent demeanor in the closing shot still brings tears to my eyes. This entire experience truly took its toll.
I like clever, I like brilliant, and I like seeing surprising sides of the characters brought out in the most extraordinary of circumstances. Just like Dean’s time in “What Is and What Should Never Be” this episode brought out a side of Sam we never imagined possible. Plus, I never get sick of Dean mouthing “it was the heat of the moment” to Sam every morning in irritating fashion. Or gargling. Or ordering Pig in a Poke. Dean never stopped joking, and we never stopped enjoying it.
So what’s yours? You don’t even have to justify why. Just list one if that’ll work.
I typed out a whole long reply and it just dissapeared So am going to try again!!
My all time favorite episode is Ell2’s choice of What is and what should never be.
I am going to put my reasons in a seperate post in the hope that it does not all go into the deamons mouth and dissapear!
Diane
OK! Here goes with my reasons for this episode. It breaks my heart to watch this, it makes me laugh, and cry and just about every emotion is there. If I want to be cheered up I watch,if I want a good cry I watch it and if I have nothing else (!?)to watch this is the one I turn to.
I love to see Dean try to extend the touch of his mothers hand on his face ,he needs her love and touch soo much. I love the graveside scene!! If only John could hear him.
I grieve with Dean about his changed relationship with Sam, and I love the way he is soo pleased for him to be having a “life” and prospects.
I am soo sad that he does not think he deserve to be with the wonderful woman who has chosen to share his life.
I love the tatoos, I love the awful factory they are held in, I love the way Sam save Dean, I love the choices he is given and the one he makes…
OH I could just go on and on and on…… but I know others will want some space (!) so just to finish, if I only ever get to see ONE episode this is it
Thanks for asking
Diane
Mystery Spot, because I agree with every single word Alice said. Man, that episode is amazing.
In My Time Of Dying and When The Levee Breaks came pretty close, though.
Oh, sh*t this is hard 😎
I can’t, just simply can’t pick a favorite, even if a gun was pointed at my head. I love too many eps.
I could possibly pick a fave/ season but then again they change alot according to my mood and such so that would be a waste… But really I don’t want to pick 😀 I just kinda love the thought that I got 80+ eps to choose from and I love them all
I have to pick the pilot.
I have rewatched it so many times.
It draws me n from the beginning and I love to see Sam fresh faced. I love meeting them for the first time over and over again.
The impala is sparkling, the music is great,the story is well done,,and on and on.
Wow – this is almost cruel, making us choose.
Nevertheless, I too choose WIAWSNB. I have seen that episode more times than any other and love it more every time I view it. Why do I like it so much? WIAWSNB is a wonderfully acted, funny, emotional episode that reminds us of the heart of the show – family. Dean’s moments with his mother are beautifully heartbreaking and his monologue at the grave is equally as moving. The part where Dean “kills” himself is tragic – he’s willing to sacrifice his happiness for the greater good. I like that the brothers still come together, despite the massive differences and uncommonalities between them in the alternate universe – Sam, despite everything alternate!Dean has put him through (prom date stealing, ATM card stealing, etc) is still going to look out for him. Not to mention all the hilarious moments thorugh out: references to Dean being drunk, Sam discovering the pig’s blood and Dean subsequently tossing his phone out the window, the onesided and misunderstood bitch/jerk exchange. Ahh -too good!
Visually speaking, this episode is fantastic. The now classic lawn mowing scene with the over-bright, too cheery atmosphere, the industrial greys of the Djinn’s lair and the re-enactment of the sillouetted scene where Dean breaks in “looking for a beer” – all wonderful elements that make this episode one of my favourites.
(I also think this episode was the perfect set up to Dean trading his soul for Sam’s life.)
Mystery Spot all the way. There are more reasons for this than I can ever list, but most of all for Sam. It was the episode that confirmed that despite the puppy-dog eyes Sam is a very dark character who had more layers than anyone ever thought. My favorite scene though is when Dean is sitting with the owner while Sam is taking an ax to the Mystery Spot. I find it hilarious that Dean went along with that, and his reactions have me in stitches every time.
Pick a favourite of all of them? This is a strain to my brain that is entirely impossible.
Bethany’s “Scarecrow” has just got to be my favourite, but then elle2’s WIAWSNB – Geez! This has got to be my favourite too. And then Alice’s “Mystery Spot”comes next, and damned if that one isn’t my favourite.
Waaaaah! I can’t do this. I love watching all three of those episodes. Then there are different reasons for favourites when different moods are present. For instance, when feeling sad I love to watch the Pilot or Wendigo as they are a great antidote to the deep angst of Season 4 that I sometimes have to combat or go nuts.
When looking for great acting I’d pick BUABS or “Devil’s Trap” for the shocking bits and just about everything else about those two that are exceptional in the writing and directing and emotional impact. The two J’s outdid themselves in those two.
When looking for fun episodes, then “Tall Tales” jumps right to mind, along with “Hollywood Babylon” and “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Bad Day at Black Rock”.
The guys wrestling on the bed, “You are one hell of a PA”, “I like mine al dente”, and “I’m Batman!”.
For heart-warming I’d pick “Supernatural Christmas” for the final scene with Sam giving Dean his very last Christmas, with the “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” playing, the eggnog, the gifts and the love just permeating the whole scene you could feel it. The window, the Impala, the lights and the snow falling. Waaahhhh! There I go again with the waterworks. My favourite times are when the brothers are silently loving each other even though denying the chick flick moments. The hugs are few and far between and so are much appreciated by this viewer.
Much easier for me to pick my least favourites as there are so very few of those. And even in these, there are moments that I would never want to miss out on. Thank God for DVDs!
This was very, very hard and I traded back and forth many times and while Mystery Spot is the first episode I ever saw, I remember being entranced by WIAWSNB. Then again, I love The Pilot and can’t get enough of Devil’s Trap and IMTOD. Sheesh, it is hard, hard hard. While I know what book I’d take to a desert island if I could only take one, I hope and pray and pray and hope that I never have to choose just one episode of Supernatural to ever watch again.
So many good things in so many.
I love reading everyone’s comments…thanks for giving it a try.
Bethany, thank you so much for offering up the ‘challenge’ hee,
Haven,
Awesome comments about Simon Said — you’ve made me want to get back to my keyboard and get my Ben Edlund Episodes, A Deeper Look piece going again (everything SPN has been a bit stalled this past week 🙁
I’m so thrilled Bethany kicked this idea off, it’s so cool reading everyone’s thoughts — and I’m lining up a whole list of episodes to watch along the lines of ‘favorites’
Hee, anything to make Hellatus pass faster.
Definitely When the Levee Breaks.
I loved how all of Sam’s insecurities, fears, thoughts and hopes came out. I loved the intensity of the episode and how Dean went after Sam when he got out of the Panic Room. The fight scene was sad yet necessary and i thought it was a brilliant lead in to the finale.
Not to mention Jared’s brilliant acting….Jensen’s also – they were both fantastic…but all i saw in this episode was Sam – no Jared, just Sam.
I’m out for a couple of days and you girls end up chalanging everyone to pick a favourite episode?? Are you serious?? Humm, wait a minut…
…Cristo!
No one showing black eyes? Ok then! I’m going to believe that this was all a case of temporary insanity 😉
My favourite episode, let me think….. nop! It’s impossible to chose so I’m going to go with this, “glue” all the episodes from pilot to LR (cut some parts of Bugs – the parts with the bugs, bc I realy, realy don’t like bugs) and that’s my favourite episode 🙂
Thanks for all the great articles girls! Your making this hellatus very easy to go by this year.
Dany,
You are awesome! That’s fabulous ‘glue’ — tee, hee, that was kinda my thought too. All. There. Done. 😎
I am totally, completely with Dany on this. I think I’ve said before, that asking me to pick a favourite anything about SN
Dany, I’m gonna have to buy some of your glue hahah
is like asking a mother to pick her favourite child. Simply not possible. Besides, why stick to one when you can have aaaaalll
Btw guys, I just started a new semester so I’m going to be very busy and will quite likely pull my disappearing act again. I’ll still drop by when I can because I love this bloody place to bits.
This one goes back aways but the first one to pop into my head was “Heart”, and not for the sex scene. The end of that episode made me cry like a little girl who just lost her puppy.When Sam has to kill Madison and has those tears streamin down his face(awsome Jared), its like he’s about to end a chance at a moments real happiness and kinda being normal in that crazy dark world those boys live in. When he’s leavin the room after talking with Dean about it and he look’s back at his best friend, his brother, it’s like he’s askin for forgivness and he just sooo doesn’t want to do this but knows he has to.OMG!It was so good. But come on, they are all sooo good.
My favorite one is Mystery Spot. You have already said, why, I can only add “Yes! yes-yes-yes!”
But I’d say that picking among others, “Hunted” comes to be my second favorite. I love “White Rabbit”.
I like Scottie. A lot. I love Ava. She’s hot and funny and absolutely believable.
It’s great to see Sam and Dean saving each other, being Sam and Dean, caring _so much_ and still not making big deal out of it.
And Gordon is cool and calm and I have always thought he had a point. Sometimes it IS better to cut evil down before it starts flourishing. Too bad he had no real idea, what this evil is/was, and we STILL have no idea, where his information came from.
I mean, I’m very glad that Sam is alive. But for me there was no visible Great Evil in the episode and I enjoyed it trough and through.
=)
Wow some interesting thoughts….. yep i do love a challenge,the thought just came to me when i went to watch an episode and on automatic i just went for scarecrow as always though i have to admit lazarus rising, wishful thinking and the monster at the end of this book are catching up fast with bad day at black rock, mystery spot (never looked at a taco the same way since) and BUABS as the episodes to rival scarecrow. can’t wait for season 4 part 2 dvd to come out!!!!
I agree with you all that this is *THE* most impossible question. Sofie had an easier choice… I love, love all your picks (how could I not?) so I am going to interject one that I don’t think was mentioned but ranks up there on my list of eppies I could watch over and over (okay, it’s actually a really long list…) but my pick would be “A Very Supernatural Christmas.” There was so much that filled my heart with glee. We got some humor, some storyarc continuity as well as back story on our boys that reflected a heartbreaking, poignant childhood. From the caroling to their gift exchange to that sad Christmas tree decorated pine air fresheners – this one had it all – for me.
Bethany, you’re a very, very bad person …
I’ve mithered long and hard over this and although I love them all it’s got to be Jus In Bello that gets the nod.
I’m a total sucker for a good siege, and what with the tattoos and the bondage and Dean’s speechifying and the impossible odds and Hendriksen getting his head stuck down the loo this episode had me in a lather from start to depressingly downbeat finish … Which makes so much more sense in light of what we now know about Ruby’s hidden agenda to convince Sam that one can’t make an omelet without killing loads of people.
Panting in close second is Bad Day At Black Rock because it’s such a hoot and I love the whole slapstick sillyness of it with Gruesome Gordon and Mr Don’t Touch My Jesus and the whole sheebang, plus loads of others too numerous to mention.
They’re just too close to call, never do this again, you sadists! 😆
me…. i don’t know what you’re talking about…. i was just showing love the kripke way!
😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
I LOVE MISTERY SPOT and TALL TALES !!
and the episodes where the ghostfacers appear 😛