What’s Your Favorite Season (And How Do You Choose It)?
For me I often find my ‘favorite’ changes depending on what I’m in the mood for or how I choose to define what makes my favorite. (of course there is one absolute, chocolate remains my favorite no matter the time of day, season of the year, mood I’m in, type of weather we’re experiencing…you name the variable, chocolate remains my favorite despite or because of it.) I’m going to take a shot at exploring what can cause me to pick one season and say it’s my favorite over another and you’ll see why they change.
For example, if it’s purely sentimental, then Season 3 remains my favorite season. I found “Supernatural” on February 14th, 2008; “Mystery Spot.” So for me the season that initiated my viewing of this show will always hold a very near and dear place in my heart. Season 3 had “Mystery Spot” and the equally excellent “Jus In Bello,” plus there was “A Very Supernatural Christmas” (who can deny a season that so thoroughly annihilates all that is innocent and pure about ‘the most wonderful time of the year’.) Season 3 also has the comedic antics of Jensen and Jared on full display during “Bad Day At Black Rock,” introduces the idea that Bobby is ‘like a father’ to the Winchesters, Dean teaching Sam how to fix the Impala ‘just ‘cause’ and ultimately, heartbreakingly and downright horrifically sends Dean to Hell where the last image we have for 17 long weeks, 119 days, 2,856 hours, 171,360 minutes and 10,281,600 seconds is of Dean imprisoned on the ‘rack’ by meat hooks screaming for Sam. Yeah, sentimentally, Season 3 is my all-time favorite.
In the past I’ve ranked the seasons based upon the overall arc of the season and how each episode has fit into that arc and then chosen my ‘best’ pick for ‘best’ season. If I were to apply that here than I’d say hands down Season 4 is my favorite season. The season begins with the unsurprising return of Dean from hell; the surprise is in why he was returned and who made it happen. (Plus we get a Dean and Bobby hug and then a fabulous Dean and Sam hug). Each episode from “Lazarus Rising” to “Lucifer Rising” offers a small to large tidbit of what ultimately is occurring culminating in the rising of Lucifer and the revelation of Ruby’s deception.
We learn in the second episode that Lilith is breaking seals to bring about Lucifer’s return – paying off what we learned in “Sin City” and adding a ‘ticking clock’ to the overall season. Episode 3 finally pays off Mary’s “I’m sorry†in “Home” as well as her “It’s you†in “All Hell Breaks Loose I”; Mary was a hunter from a long line of hunters; it was John who was the innocent carefree one (and how I love that character development.) ”Metamorphosis” builds upon what we saw in the season opener, Sam is working with Ruby and while “Monster Movie” gives us a break from the overall mytharc it is such an enjoyable outing and pays homage to the ‘great’ horror flicks of the past that it is a keeper in every way.
Episodes 6 through 8 reveal the return of Dean’s hell memories and Sam finding that he ‘must’ use his powers to save a seal – at least try to. Episodes 9 through 15 move the story forward by revealing what Sam did (mostly) in those four months that Dean was in Hell as well as show the continuing struggle both brothers have with Sam’s newly activated abilities. A major foe comes to the forefront (Alistair) revealing just why Dean had to go to hell and what the demons achieved by it, plus we ‘see’ what Dean endured as well as what he did in hell. Deception among angels is revealed (Uriel) and choices are made, with fatal consequences; a new ‘ally’ (Zach) comes forward to show one brother who has lost hope that he is able to take on the trial that faces him; a major player (Chuck) in all that has transpired from the beginning comes forward to take his rightful place, albeit with great fear; and the epic showdown that we all saw coming from long ago between the brothers takes place leaving us at first gasping for breath and then hanging on with hope as we are treated to the conclusion of Season 4 with both brothers clinging to each other, having slain the manipulative Ruby but brought about the rising of Lucifer.
For a season that slowly, steadily – with a few occasional wobbles – builds episode upon episode to a conclusion, Season 4 is my favorite season.
However, there are times, when things become so big and complex, I find myself retreating to simpler things; if that were the case, then Season 2 would be my favorite season. Season 2 opens with the all but destroyed Impala cradling ‘her men’ and we are treated to Dean’s struggle between life and death played out against John’s struggle to save his son while Sam moves between both trying to save Dean and figure out John’s motives. The death of John is shocking and the ramifications of his actions continue to play out in the present; however, at the time they plunge Dean into deep grief and despair as he learns John is dead because of him and this thread weaves in and out of the season ending with Dean inexorably following in John’s footsteps and making a slightly better deal but a deal nonetheless, ah, the legacy of the Campbell/Winchesters. John’s death catapults Sam into full-on hunter as he no longer looks for a way out of ‘the life’ but rather tries to embrace it, all the while being pushed by his powers and the discovery of more ‘special kids’ just like him.
Season 2 introduces Ellen and Jo, Gordon and Henrickson, Bobby steps forward into a more meaningful role as he not only shows his willingness to protect the boys from vengeful hunters (“Born Under A Bad Sign”) but comes quickly when they need him to assist in untangling the Trickster’s antics. Season 2 gives us such memorable moments as found in “Tall Tales” and “Born Under a Bad Sign” to Eric Kripke’s debut as a director in “What Is And What Should Never Be.” Along the way there are crossroads to overcome, banks to rob – or not – Back in Black, Renegade, new allies in Baltimore and Little Rock, Sam finds some love, Hollywood’s horror movies get the “Edlund treatmentâ€, John’s secret is revealed, a new demonic disease emerges and talk of angels emerges again just like from Season 1’s “Faith”; and a newer, deeper understanding of Dean’s distrust of them is revealed.
Season 2 is packed with funny moments, sorrowful moments, the last ‘bitch/jerk’ moment occurs here, we meet new friends that weave in and out for the next few seasons, some die here too and at the end of the season ‘yellow eyes’ is dispatched via the Colt and all bets are off for where things go from here. For simpler times, before the apocalypse, before the weight of the world descended on our brothers’ shoulders, for time spent with Ellen, Jo and Ash and for the last season when the budget still allowed for ample time with classic rock, Season 2 is my favorite season.
So, you now have a little insight into how, why and when one season is my ‘favorite’ over another. How do you pick a favorite?
As always, thanks for reading, Elle2
My favourite season of Supernatural that I ENJOY the most is season one. Love the young Dean and Sammy. Dean is at his best badass self, cocky and sure of himself. Hard to think what the future brings while watching season one. Sob!
Love and enjoy Home, Scarecrow, Faith, Asylum, Dead Man’s Blood, and the best cliffhanger ever – Devil’s Trap.
The season I enjoy the least, even though it has great episodes like Lazarus Rising, On the Head of a Pin, It’s a Terrible Life, it also has a schism between the brothers that I found unenjoyable. My least favourite episodes all occur in season four. Chris Angel is a Douchebag, Family Remains, Rapture, After School Special (even though I loved Colin Ford in it) and When the Levee Breaks.(hated Sam strangling his brother).
Loved season two and three, and prefer season six to five. But then, who really cares what I like. We’re all different and looking for different things in the episodes.
I just love Supernatural as a whole and wouldn’t give up any of the episodes for any other series that was ever on the air. 😛
And the new president of the CW wants them to continue on into new seasons. Finally, a president who actually LIKES the show. 😮
Season 1 is still my favourite, but I also loved 3 and the second half of 2. I just loved the simpler times before everything and everyone went to hell and before all the angel crap took over.
Season 3’s Mystery Spot remains my favourite episode of the series. It was the first episode I ever saw and the one that got me hooked.
I would say season 4 was the best season in terms of writing. There were some excellent episodes my faves of the season being-Lazarus rising, Lucifer Rising, When the levee breaks, Monster at the end of this book, Its a terrible life, Its the great pumpkin, Wishful thinking, Metamorphosis and Sex and Violence.
My least favourite season is 6.
And for me seasons 5 and 6 were the worst written.
My personal favorite is season 5. It’s slightly uneven (“Fallen Idols,” “Swap Meat,” “Hammer of the Gods” as low points yet “The End,” “My Bloody Valentine,” “Dark Side of the Moon,” and “Swan Song” as high points), but it has the greatest number of episodes I rewatch most often as well as my favorite episode of the series thus far (“Point of No Return”). Sam’s search for redemption is a plotline that I really, really enjoyed; and the way he finally comes into his own as a hunter and brother by the end makes it really fulfilling for me (even if “Swan Song” makes me cry for 42 minutes straight).
Objectively, I think season 4 was the strongest. The angst-meter was cranked way up–and who would’ve thought you could crank it higher than pre-Dean’s deal coming due. I just have a very, very hard time rewatching the majority of season 4 (minus “After School Special” and “Monster at the End of This Book”) because of the growing divide between the brothers. It’s effective, gut-wrenching, and inevitable, but I don’t enjoy it. And favorites, for me, relate to how often I can rewatch something.
I will say that there isn’t a season I don’t like–season 6, for instance, has blown me away in hindsight with how well things were plotted out from the start, though I think it also suffered from being uneven. I love the nostalgia of season 1 and watching Sam and Dean trying to find their way to being brothers again. Season 2 is probably my second favorite with a high concentration of episodes I rewatch as well. The brotherly bond is my favorite here (though end of season 6 boys were getting there). And season 3 has gotten better for me on rewatch, but there’s just something painful about waiting for Dean’s deal to come due, even in the lighter episodes (the end of “A Very Supernatural Christmas” makes me cry every time).
Really, though, I just love our show 😉
Season 5 for me. Outside of a couple episodes it was near perfect. You have a perfect blend of comedy (Changing Channels, The Real Ghostubsters, Swap Meat), some dramatic episodes (The End, Abandon All Hope, Dark side of the Moon), emotional episodes (Good God Y’all, Dead Men don’t wear Plaid, Swan Song). The finale is a real tear-jerker and overall, the relationship between Sam and Dean beats the Devil himself. The almost unspoken bond between them beat the freaking Devil! That’s just amazing in my eyes and it makes Season 5 such a winner.
I love and adore Season 4, but I find when I am rewatching I’m always drawn to Season 2, followed by season 1, then season 4, 3, 5 not sure yet how 6 will end up placing.
I find it interesting how split the favorite seasons seem to be but the best season does seem be season 4 with a strong lead.
Season Fout is my favorite because you have the demaons and Angels and the acting and writing was at it very best. Supernatural is a show where even when you are watching an episode that is not that good you find something to like about it. All the seasons are good but for me they rank in this order season 4 1 5 2 6 3. Season 6 i have not watched very much to rank it any higher and season 3 to me was very disjointed.
I too met the brothers during Mystery Spot, and it was impossible not to be drawn in!
Seasons 2,3 & 4 each have such memorable moments, and you give a great impression their natures! I give it to Season 4 by a hair.
Oh, Elle2, this is really a difficult question… and I can’t really answer it neither to your nor my satisfaction, I fear.
In a way, the seasons blend into one another, as I have never really distinguished them but looked at the whole thing as one long story, perhaps like a novel with many, many chapters.
I have favourite episodes and many favourite scenes, but for the life of me, I can’t name a favourite season. I liked the first season, as that was also my start with being a Supernatural fan, and I also liked the following. Hm… It’s just as if you asked what my favourite film was… impossible to answer 😆
With Supernatural I am constantly drawn into the development of the story and the effect that has on the characters. And that keeps me glued to the screen…
Cheers, Jas
My favorite season is season 3. I find that overall I love how slick, sleek, and simple but powerful its storyline is. It’s about trying to save Dean from his Deal, and the pay off at the end should be him rescued at the last minute, but it’s better that he isn’t.
I loved how this season is the season we started to step away from the abundance of stand alones and started to build a complex myth arc that is fully paid off in season 5 and then adapted and altered in season 6. I look forward to seeing how that evolves further in season 7.
What’s funny about season 3 is the fact that it is so good during the period of the Writer’s Strike and had everything working against it. It could have spelled the end of the show all together or it could have led to choppy story telling. Instead, it made it tighter and seem a bit more frantic as both the show and its characters fought against time.
Oh, this is too hard. It’s like when I’m asked to choose my favourite book, movie, recording artist (although that would be The Beatles), but you get the idea. I just can’t put my finger on it, I like every season for different reasons. I’m thankful to season 1 for introducing us to this wonderfully disfunctional and loving family. That is the season I go back to the most often after I’ve watched the angst filled episodes of the following seasons.
Alright, then, if I’m forced to choose, it would be 2 seasons, season 3 & 4 are probably the ones I like the best, for all the great episodes and the extraordinary writing. Ouf, that was hard!
Thanks again Elle for another thought provoking article.
I can’t pick just one favorite. Its a horse race. Right now Season Six is jockeying with Season One for the lead and they’re neck and neck. Season Four is solidly in 3rd. Seasons Two and Five are neck and neck for 4th place – I think Season Two will pull ahead because I hated Swan Song SO much in S5. For me, Season Three is an also-ran. 😀
Hi Elle2
Wow picking out my favourite season is hard.
I guess if I had to choose it would be Season 1 with the other Seasons close behind.
Whenever I’m needing a Supernatural fix I tend to put in a Season 1 disk, before any others. Unless I have a desire to watch a specific episode(s).
I guess for me its what I call my comfort season.
It was before all the real heavy doom and gloom started.
When everything was still a mystery, like who killed Mary and Jessica and why?
Where was John and why wasn’t he contacting his sons?
What was happening with Sam?
It was when the brothers were getting re-acquainted and reconnecting with each other.
Dean with his Cheshire smile and Sam with his brooding.
When the banter still flowed with the Bitch/Jerk moments.
Yeah I talked myself into it, Season 1 is mine.
Thanks Elle2….I know what I’m going to be doing today.