Supernatural: 20 Years of the Cult Series

Contents:

• Series for Generation Y: emotions and intrigue
• Monster of the week
• Family matters
• Dictionary of secret knowledge and practices
• Fan service icons
• Compression of thoughts: the art of succinct expression of ideas
• "Pilot"
• "Scarecrow"
• "Fables"
• "An extraordinary Christmas with elements supernatural"
• "According to wartime regulations"
• "The Resurrection of Lazarus"
• "Horror"
• "A terrifying creature in the final pages"
  "Fear of the unknown: the monster at the last stage"
  "The mystery hidden in the final chapters"
  "The unexpected appearance of the monster at the end of the story"
  "The mysterious monster waiting at the end of the book"
• "Swan song"
• "The French approach to mistakes"
  "When mistakes become part of learning in France"
  "Mistakes, French style"
  "The French Philosophy of Perceiving Mistakes"
  "Mistakes as a Step to Success: A French Perspective"
• "The Heroine with a Tattoo Inspired by Dungeons & Dragons"
• "Fan Fiction"
• "Moriah"

On September 13, 2005, exactly two decades ago, the series that became a cult classic for an entire generation, Supernatural, began airing. For 15 seasons, the Winchester brothers, Dean and Sam, hunted various monsters, saved people and the world at large, explored hell, purgatory, and heaven, and tried to change their destinies.

Today, "Supernatural" has become a true cultural phenomenon, spawning numerous new content formats. The hunters' adventures continue to inspire fans to create cosplay, fan fiction, and even large-scale original projects. Film critic Elena Bolotnova, in connection with the series' anniversary, shares her thoughts on the structure of its universe and analyzes:

• How the horror genre began to resemble "Santa Barbara."
• The "monster of the week" format originated in television series, especially in the fantasy and horror genres, as a way to structure the plot. In such shows, each new episode represents a standalone story, in which the main characters face a unique adversary or creature that demands their attention and struggle. This approach allows viewers to enjoy variety, as each episode brings something new and exciting.

  The roots of this format can be traced to such iconic television projects as Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where each week the characters face a new monster or threat. This storytelling style promotes dynamic plot development and allows the writers to introduce various mythological creatures, which helps maintain audience interest.

  The "monster of the week" format also provides an opportunity for deeper character development, as each episode can present them with different trials and challenges, which contributes to their development. Furthermore, this structure allows for easy adaptation to changes in the script and audience preferences, making the show more flexible and long-lasting.

• "Supernatural" can be seen as a true ode to traditional values. The series' plot revolves around two brothers who travel across America, hunting demons and other otherworldly creatures. However, on a deeper level, the series explores the importance of family ties, loyalty, and morality.

  Themes such as protecting loved ones and preserving legacy take center stage. The Winchester brothers represent classic protectors who not only battle external threats but also face internal conflicts that highlight the importance of traditional values. Their journeys often serve as reminders that, despite all the changes in the world, loyalty to family and adherence to moral principles remain fundamental.

  Furthermore, the series emphasizes various myths and legends passed down from generation to generation, strengthening the connection to cultural roots. This creates a sense that tradition and history hold great significance, even in a world saturated with the supernatural. Thus, Supernatural becomes more than just entertainment, but a true reflection and defender of traditionalist ideas in modern society.

• The writers took different approaches to interpreting the biblical canon and the apocrypha, giving them new meaning and resonance. They often used elements from sacred texts to create deeper, more layered plots. In some cases, the writers emphasized the moral dilemmas raised in biblical stories, while in others, they drew on lesser-known, but no less significant, apocryphal texts, which expanded the context and added new layers to familiar narratives.

  This approach resulted in unique interpretations, in which traditional characters and events acquired fresh facets, and ancient messages could be perceived in light of modern realities. The writers, while exploring these rich sources, sought not only to preserve their essence but also to adapt them for the audience, creating engaging and instructive stories.

• How Fans Transformed the Supernatural Canon;
• The series finale was a true climax that exceeded all expectations. It managed to bring together all the storylines that had been developing throughout the show and resolved numerous conflicts, leaving viewers satisfied. This final episode not only concluded the characters' stories but also gave them the opportunity to demonstrate their development and changes over the course of the narrative.

  Furthermore, the finale was rich in emotional moments that touched the hearts of viewers, forcing them to reflect on the importance of relationships and choices. It also allowed the writers to show their creativity, going beyond the usual framework and offering unexpected twists. This approach not only strengthened the connection with the audience but also left a lasting impression on the series as a whole.

  Thus, the finale wasn't just a conclusion, but a true celebration for fans, summing up everything they'd witnessed throughout the series.

• If you're looking to dive into the world of Supernatural, it's best to start with the early episodes, as they lay the groundwork for the plot and introduce the main characters. The first two seasons provide a fascinating introduction to the stories of demons, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures the Winchester brothers encounter.

  However, if you're looking for something new, you might want to check out some key episodes that stand out for their plot depth or interesting twists, such as episodes that explore character relationships or introduce important antagonists.

  However, it is best to start from the very beginning, so as not to miss important details and context that will be important as the plot develops.

A Series for Generation Y: Emotions and Intrigue

From an early age, screenwriter Eric Kripke had a huge fascination with urban myths: stories of ghosts haunting abandoned buildings, cursed objects, and various conspiracy theories. Later, when he took up producing, he managed to work for more than a decade on a project that eventually became a cult television series called Supernatural.

Initially, Kripke conceived of making a film, but soon changed his plans, deciding that the project should be an anthology. Then he was seized by the idea of ​​telling a story about journalists who travel around the country and investigate various cases of supernatural crimes. However, this concept didn't please the WB Television Network executives, who Kripke offered to take the project under their wing. As a result, the reporter friends became brothers, and the last name "Harrison" was replaced with "Winchester." The adventures of these brothers began to resemble the atmosphere of a western, where instead of a horse they had a 1967 Chevrolet Impala.

Sam and Dean, inspired by their literary predecessors, Sal and Dean, from Kerouac's "On the Road," travel across the country to battle dark forces. After they defeat one of the monsters, their journey continues to lead them to new threats. Each new episode brings with it another horror, which turns out to be not fiction, but very real.

Initially, "Supernatural" was conceived as a show capable of frightening viewers to the core. This was Eric Kripke's idea. He hoped that the project would occupy a place in the horror genre on the late-night airwaves. However, unfortunately, at some point the implementation of the idea went completely differently than expected.

After the first few seasons of the show, two major problems became apparent: monotonous storylines and drawn-out arcs. Each new season showed the brothers miraculously surviving: returning from the dead, experiencing body snatching, and the like, all repeated over and over. Characters who initially played a significant role, such as the Winchesters' mother, simply disappeared from the plot. Later, they reappeared, but only in minor episodes, practically as cameos.

Each new season, starting with the first, developed a complete storyline that united all the episodes. However, traditional soap opera elements soon became prevalent - no season or group of episodes was complete without a cliffhanger, especially when followed by a long wait for the next season. Agree, this is quite annoying?

At first glance, such obvious flaws could have led to the failure of a series that was originally conceived as an ambitious fantasy project. However, the situation turned out quite differently: "Supernatural" turned into one of the most popular television projects of the mid- and late 2000s.

The series premiere attracted 5.69 million viewers—a real record even for the already established "Supernatural." Over the first four seasons, each episode consistently attracted around three million fans. However, after the fifth season, the audience began to decline rapidly, and the final episode was seen by only 1.38 million people.

Throughout the show's development, its creators actively sought to attract male audiences. They believed that an audience consisting predominantly of teenage girls was unpromising and likely to fail to meet expectations. However, over time, their assumptions proved incorrect: women became the most loyal and responsive viewers. During its first seasons, the show ranked third in popularity among men aged 18 to 34. However, in the 2011 ratings, the series failed to make the cut. In contrast, female interest only increased: for example, the fifth season attracted 35% more women than the fourth.

Although the show faced temporary declines in interest and certain difficulties, it has attracted a huge number of viewers throughout its run. The series averages a 4.2 rating, which is excellent for a show that has been on a roller coaster ride.

Of course, such a large-scale series could not help but have a significant impact on culture, and references to the adventures of the Winchester brothers can be found in many popular works, including The Boys. In addition, Supernatural has a large base of devoted fans. They organize special conventions dedicated to the series, and in Austin, Texas, they even celebrate Supernatural Day. The reason for choosing this city is that Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, who play Dean and Sam, live here, as well as Steve Adler, who was the mayor of Austin from 2015 to 2022 and is a big fan of the series.

Supernatural is the longest-running science fiction series in the history of American television. It has significantly influenced the formation of modern pop culture as we know it. The complex and rich storyline continues to inspire fans for years, maintaining their unwavering loyalty.

Unfortunately, recent episodes have negatively impacted the image of such television projects – few are prepared to accept series that stretch over so many seasons. However, this is exactly what the ideal series of the early 2000s and 2010s looked like: you could simply turn it on in the evening and immerse yourself in the characters' captivating adventures without wasting time on a complex backstory.

Monster of the Week

"Supernatural" is a procedural show, where each episode tells a standalone story. Similar attempts were made by the creators of classic Star Trek and certain seasons of Doctor Who, but they were not particularly successful: without familiarity with the overarching mythology, even in these episodes it was difficult to fully comprehend the events.

In 2005, the series Supernatural introduced viewers to the concept of the "monster of the week." Each new episode introduces us to a new challenge facing the Winchester brothers. They investigate and eliminate another supernatural creature, which adds freshness and variety to the plot.

When developing a new episode, the writers initially focused on creating the monster the brothers would face this time. They drew inspiration from a variety of sources, from well-known horror films like Poltergeist and An American Werewolf in London to lesser-known urban myths, including the Warren family. The main storyline was formed from these ideas.

The development team paid close attention to detail in creating their monsters, spending considerable time working on even the most subtle visual elements. For example, when the monsters appeared on screen, cinematographers used light filters to darken the image, and some tones were softened in post-production. As a result, viewers had the impression that their perception was slightly impaired - as if they had actually encountered something otherworldly.

Nowadays, this approach is no longer perceived as something unusual. Over the past two decades, many series have been created that are similar in structure to Supernatural. In some cases, this may be a coincidence, but more often than not, it is a deliberate decision on the part of the creators.

In 2006, Torchwood, a spin-off of Doctor Who, was released. In this series, the Torchwood organization was engaged in protecting the inhabitants of Cardiff from the threat of aliens. However, even in this project, the creators could not avoid the temptation to create a unified narrative, and at times the plot resembled a drawn-out love melodrama.

In Supernatural, most episodes can be viewed separately and will remain understandable even without being familiar with the rest of the season. The core plot isn't overloaded with personal drama or complex mythologies. There are two brothers, their friends, monsters, and victims—it all seems simple enough. However, this period of simplicity didn't last long.

Over time, Kripke's desire to simply shock viewers began to give way to a desire to create a more expansive, cohesive story. It's difficult to say whether Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, with their magnetic chemistry, played a decisive role in this process, but it was thanks to the writers' desire to transform the series into an epic about the Winchester brothers that a grand canvas full of adventures and dramatic events emerged from disparate episodes.

Family Matters

Considering the age category of viewers, it can be argued that Kripke was able to convey the idea of ​​family values ​​more effectively than many radical Republicans. Moreover, this takes place in a series where the central characters lead a rather precarious lifestyle and cannot boast of a steady source of income.

From the very beginning of their journey, the Winchester brothers strive to find their father, who disappeared while hunting. They later take on his work—fighting monsters and protecting people. From time to time, they will help each other out, even if it means descending into hell. The brothers are willing to do anything for their loved ones.

The concept of "family" includes not only blood relatives but also those who have become close, even if they are not related. At a certain point, the Winchesters begin to joke about how the angel Castiel has practically become like a third brother to them.

Despite the fact that the creators of the series constantly paid attention to public sentiment, including the principle of diversity in the selection of actors, the main audience of "Supernatural" is concentrated outside of large cities. The travels of the Winchester brothers resonate precisely in the remote corners through which they travel.

The series presents a rather traditional and conservative view of life, which, nevertheless, acquires its own peculiarities in the context of the fight against monsters. The Winchester family resembles a typical family from the American heartland, where not only family happiness but also the freedom to handle a gun come first. The brothers often dress in a simple, provincial style, are not shy about their choice of words, and, in general, perfectly fit the image of a rugged man, typical of the middle part of the country.

"Throughout its entire run, this show has remained a story about family—and that is more important than any other aspect. Mythology serves only as a driving force that raises important questions about family ties. An older brother who protects a younger one. Ethical dilemmas: should you kill the one you love most in the world? Loyalty to family or caring for the good of all humanity? Duty to loved ones or the pursuit of your own happiness? All of these trials befall Dean, and, in my opinion, they are no less valuable than stories about children with psychic abilities or demonic intrigues. Sometimes fans get overly excited, and I will say this: this show will never be all about Sam or all about Dean. "This will always be a story about brothers."

Eric Kripke for TV Guide News

When a family breaks apart, it always has devastating consequences. The story begins with the tragic death of Sam and Dean's mother. Each time the Winchester brothers are separated, strange events occur: the world is on the brink of destruction, God disappears, and beings from another dimension enter our world. And in an alternate reality, where the brothers don't exist, a real Apocalypse reigns.

The plot centers on the principle of family relationships, which does not tolerate outside interference and demands complete adherence. All the brothers' significant achievements are inextricably linked to their family and family values. Even when they stop the apocalypse in the season five finale, which can be considered the end of the main storyline, it was the brotherly bond that played a decisive role.

A Dictionary of Secret Knowledge and Practices

When creating the world of Supernatural, Eric Kripke relied on more than just his creativity. He drew inspiration from a wide range of urban myths and occult sources, making the series a veritable encyclopedia of popular esotericism.

While the supernatural elements ultimately served as a backdrop for the brothers' narrative, this backdrop was carefully crafted. For example, the hierarchy of otherworldly beings is based on sacred texts, and the Enochian language used in the series is the very language created by 16th-century occultists for angelic magic rituals. Films dealing with esotericism aren't always considered esoteric cinema, but Supernatural is a prime example. The series' mythology draws heavily on the Book of Enoch, leading to some inconsistencies with more common biblical narratives. According to traditional biblical texts, angels are able to freely assume human form and don't require physical forms, as demons do. However, in the series, the search for bodies for angels appears as an important problem, significantly influencing the course of events.

Sometimes screenwriters draw inspiration from mystical teachings and religious texts, weaving them into the overall mythology along with literary works, film, and music. Thus, some characters, such as angels and demons, are borrowed from apocryphal literature that is not part of the Christian canon, while others were created by screenwriters inspired by the sound of Hebrew names. For example, an angel named Akobel is not found in Christian sacred texts, while Azazel and Raphael are characters from the Book of Enoch. Lilith, on the other hand, aligns more closely with the Kabbalistic tradition than with Enochian lore.

In addition to his fascination with esotericism, Kripke brought his passion for pop culture to the series—references to famous films and TV shows can be found in almost every episode. It's also worth noting that the original Supernatural writing team included writers from another show, where the characters also investigated strange events in stylish clothing. That's why Sam and Dean at one point don police uniforms and set out to investigate the case by interviewing witnesses—a feat they owe to Kim Manners and the former X-Files team.

The brothers are referred to as Officers Ford and Hamill, evoking associations with Harrison Ford (of Han Solo fame, who partially inspired Dean) and Mark Hamill. They also use the surnames "Plant" and "Page," taken from famous musicians from the bands Kiss, Metallica, and AC/DC.

The brothers sometimes reference famous quotes from classic horror films, such as "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Wax Museum." Some episode titles are references to cult films: for example, "Dead Ends" is the fourth episode of the second season, and also the title of the 1972 film, and "Route 666" is the thirteenth episode of the first season, which shares the title of the 2001 film. In addition, the brothers often choose room number 237 for their stays - this is the same infamous number made famous by "The Shining."

Their passion for detail is so evident that even the websites and phone numbers mentioned in the plot are genuine. As part of the promotional campaign for the spin-off "Spirit Hunters," which centers on a group of amateur hunters encountered in the thirteenth episode of season three, viewers were able to visit the actual Ghost Hunters' website. Similarly, the urban legend website Hellhounds Lair, which featured in season one, was also revealed to be real.

However, sometimes the desire to include numerous references just for the sake of it can lead to plagiarism. In certain episodes of "Supernatural," the creators clearly strive to recreate classic plotlines of the genre, but end up merely retelling those stories.

In the series "Charmed," which can be compared to a millennial version of "Santa Barbara" and which premiered slightly earlier, there is a scene in which sisters find themselves trapped in a time loop created by a demon intent on destroying them. A similar situation occurs in Supernatural, where Dean falls into a similar trap, and there is even a similar rhythm to the story.

The plot of characters being trapped in a world where they are ordinary people and the show's universe is merely fictional became a fairly common theme in TV series of the 2000s and 2010s. In Supernatural, such a plot is introduced in the 15th episode of the sixth season, but similar stories appear in later episodes as well. This approach is also reflected in cinema: for example, the 22nd episode of the sixth season, "The Man Who Knew Too Much," is an analogue of the film "The Bourne Identity."

Over time, Supernatural begins to repeat its own motifs—the brothers repeatedly find themselves in similar situations, and the characters become so similar that their roles are almost identical. This, unfortunately, is an inevitable outcome for a series that has been running for so long. Creating new monsters and original adventures over the course of 15 years proves to be quite a challenge.

However, one thing the series always remains top-notch is the musical score. There is a story that Kripke even threatened to leave the project if he wasn't allowed to include his favorite compositions. In the end, he was given the green light.

Thanks to Kripke, the famous composition "Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas plays in the final shots of the series, and the brothers enjoy the music of Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, Rush, Boston, and AC/DC during their road trip. The music for the project was created by composers Christopher Lennertz and Jay Graska, who also focused on Kripke's preferences when creating background music. The task turned out to be a difficult one, as each episode required about 30 minutes of musical material. Nevertheless, the team coped with the task, including in the sound design even the ominous sounds accompanying the appearance of monsters.

Fan Service Icons

Nevertheless, despite many difficulties, the key seasons of Supernatural represent a high-quality spectacle that has rightfully won the hearts of fans. It's no surprise that at a certain point, discussions about the Winchesters became even more prominent than the show itself.

The project has acquired a colossal audience of fans who are thoroughly knowledgeable about every aspect of the series and even more. It was Supernatural fans who became pioneers in the field of fan art. The fandom of this series includes a huge number of works of art, fan fiction, cosplay, as well as amateur films and comics. On the Archive of Our Own platform, you can find over 260,000 works related to Supernatural, not counting crossovers and texts that contain references to this series.

In 2006, the first significant event that united fans of the series took place in Nashville - a convention called WinchesterCon. The following year, in 2007, the Asylum convention was attended by the actors themselves. Since then, regular conventions and fan meetings have become a crucial part of both the actors' schedules and the show's promotional activities. It seems that almost every millennial geek in the United States has a photo from some convention featuring a Supernatural actor.

At some point, the boundaries between canon and fan fiction became so blurred that their merging became inevitable. The series began introducing more and more characters who won viewers' hearts, even though they had no impact on the main plot. Popular tropes that fans loved were often present.

The poorly written final episodes and the excessive fan service make one wonder why fans should stick with the original version when their own interpretations can be more engaging and nuanced. The show's creators seem to be happy with the situation: in the 200th episode, Sam and Dean openly discuss popular fan pairings on-screen, demonstrating their interest in the topic.

The situation appears ambiguous: the fandom is growing thanks to its participants' desire to present their own interpretation of events, while the authors try to meet fan expectations by reintroducing beloved characters and repeating successful plot twists. This is reminiscent of the mythical ouroboros, endlessly swallowing its own tail.

It cannot be said that "Supernatural" was the first project to lay the foundations for interaction with fans, since Star Trek fans were already creating their own fan fiction as early as the 1960s. Nevertheless, it was the Supernatural team's method of operation that defined the format of communication between the series' creators and their viewers.

In today's world, it's hard to imagine a successful series not capitalizing on its fans' interests and holding various offline events as part of its promotional campaign. Fan art, fan fiction, cosplay, and other similar activities create the feeling that Supernatural was the catalyst for the development of fandom culture on such a large scale. Surprisingly, the passion for the series remains relevant today—not a single modern fan event is complete without cosplayers clad in "Castiel-like" capes.

Thought Compression: The Art of Expressing Ideas Concisely

Frankly, since the sixth season, the series has existed mainly on inertia. Viewers had already decided on their idols during the original storyline, that is, by the fifth season. After that, everything followed the usual path: established clichés were used, the familiar patterns with the "monster of the day", dramatic moments between brothers and epic rock music in the background were followed, and there were constant returns of familiar characters who had become fan favorites.

The series, originally conceived as a niche creation for fans of the horror genre, unexpectedly transformed into an endless saga of family upheavals. The creators of the project themselves more than once lost in their intentions and concepts. Kripke initially insisted that further development of the story beyond the fifth season was impossible, then unexpectedly opened himself up to any suggestions from new writers. However, after the final episode, he insisted that he was completely satisfied with the story's conclusion, although in fact, he had long been planning his own alternative version. Nostalgia and fan service kept viewers and the show's crew engaged for fifteen seasons. The show's end even brings a sense of relief. Now we can breathe a sigh of relief: the Winchester brothers will no longer be faced with death and rebirth again and again, and new characters, just like the old ones, will no longer appear on the screen.

"The final episode of this series is my absolute favorite of any episode I've ever seen."

Jared Padalecki

"The more I thought about it, the more different scenarios of what could have happened, or perhaps should have happened, came to mind. But in the end, I always came back to the result that we have now."

Jensen Ackles

"Our goal was for it to, in a sense, return to the roots of the show, when two heroes were simply helping people and fighting dark forces."

Andrew Dabb

Certainly, the final part caused a lot of controversy: it probably seemed too sudden for an audience that was accustomed to nothing really scary happening to the heroes. However, the writers accomplished a crucial task - they finally completed a plot that needed to be completed much earlier.

«Pilot»

Season 1, Episode 1

The scene that became key to the entire plot of the TV series "Supernatural". Dean Winchester turns to his brother Sam, asking him for support in hunting monsters and in the search for their missing father.

"Scarecrow"

Season one, episode eleven.

John Winchester was finally able to get in touch and entrusts his sons with a task: head to a small town where couples disappear every year and find out who is behind these mysterious disappearances. Dean is eager to begin the investigation, while Sam is eager to understand the reasons behind his father's unusual assignment and what is happening in their family.

"Tall Tales"

Season Two, Episode Fifteen.

Ohio is gripped by a wave of mysterious murders. Sam and Dean have a hard time figuring out what connects all these incidents: there is no obvious connection between the stories of the alligator, the ghost, and the aliens.

One of the funniest moments in the series is a scene that clearly demonstrates that Supernatural is a high-quality entertainment product that can interest viewers of all ages.

"A Very Special Christmas with Elements of the Supernatural"

Season 3, Episode 8

It turns out that Santa Claus has an evil twin brother named Anti-Claus. This character enjoys kidnapping people using a chimney, especially when they're trying to catch a real wizard in the act. Although the brothers decide to take on their responsibilities, they're both convinced that Santa is just a figment of their imagination, unlike the vampires and werewolves they know, who are very real.

"According to Wartime Standards"

Season Three, Episode Twelve.

Sam Winchester finds himself in a difficult situation as he's being pursued by an army of hellish creatures. However, there's one serious obstacle: he and his brother are behind bars. Demons begin an attack on the precinct, and it is unclear whether the brothers will be able to save everyone in trouble this time.

In this episode, the Winchester brothers face an evil force they are powerless to control.

"Lazarus Resurrection"

Season 4, Episode 1

Dean Winchester left this world, but his story is not over - four months later, he comes back to life. He cannot comprehend how this happened, and the only one who can give an answer is an angel named Castiel.

In this episode, we first meet the character played by Misha Collins. Initially, it was planned that he would play only a minor role, but his image was so loved by the audience that the creators decided to change the hero's fate.

"Horror"

Season 4, Episode 5

The Halloween episode, shot in black and white, is a tribute to all those classic horror films that the creators of the series reveres so much. The brothers find themselves face to face with creatures from old films - but this time these creatures are real and ready for real destruction.

"A terrifying creature in the pages of the finale"
"Fear of the unknown: the monster in the final stage"
"A mystery hidden in the final chapters"
"The unexpected appearance of the monster at the end of the story"
"A mysterious monster waiting at the end of the book"

Season four, episode eighteen.

The Winchesters meet a writer named Chuck, who shares with them information that his works are based on their story. However, he does not mention that these are not just fictional adventures, but in fact a chronicle of their lives, captured on the pages of books. Besides, Sam and Dean shouldn't know about Chuck's true nature yet.

"Swan Song"

Season Five, Episode Twenty-Two.

The Winchesters are approaching the decisive battle with Lucifer, and Sam is ready to give his life to achieve victory.

This is the very final episode that Eric Kripke originally planned. This is where the story should have ended... if not for the next ten seasons.

"The French Approach to Mistakes"
"When Mistakes Become Part of Learning in France"
"Mistakes the French Way"
"The French Philosophy of Perceiving Mistakes"
"Mistakes as a Step to Success: A French Perspective"

Season Six, Episode Fifteen.

The Winchester brothers find themselves in an alternate universe where there are no monsters, but there is a television series called "Supernatural."

A fascinating moment illustrating the process of creating a series, and also a prime example of how to effectively break the fourth wall.

"The heroine with the tattoo inspired by Dungeons & Dragons"

Season seven, episode twenty.

The Winchesters meet a girl named Charlie, who is engaged in hacking and has a real passion for fantasy worlds. During their conversation, she unexpectedly reveals that the creatures from fairy tales she only dreamed about actually exist and are part of reality.

"Fanfiction"

Season ten, episode five.

The anniversary episode reached its peak in terms of fan service. The brothers find themselves confronted with something far more terrifying than any monster—a play about themselves, staged by their school drama club.

"Moriah"

Season fourteen, episode twenty.

God decided it was time to put an end to this world and released all the souls from hell. Now the Winchester brothers face a new battle, where it will be not just a matter of life, but death itself.