Supernaturalis America’s longest-running live-action fantasy show, and one of its best in many ways, but some season 1 episodes could be skipped to get to the meat of the plot quickly. With theSupernaturalseason 15 finaleleaving Sam and Dean tragically passed on but happily reunited, it remains to be seen if the show will ever return for a season 16, a reboot, or a movie. As such, new fans may well have lots of time on their hands to get to know the show in all its glory.
However, some may be keen to grasp the core plot in a hurry.To do so, several standalone episodes could be put on the backburner. Sometimes, a movie or series marathon is just what is required of a weekend with friends, and ifSupernaturalseason 10, for instance, is on the cards, a quick catch-up may be necessary. Season 1 contains vital exposition onSam and Dean Winchester, but the brothers' relationship develops steadily and reliably across the course of the show’s fifteen seasons. So, Supernatural season 1 can be skimmed over in certain places.
8Wendigo
Supernatural Season 1, Episode 2
As brilliant as “Wendigo” is, it isn’t essential viewing for someone trying to get to grips with the show’s wider canon.Every season ofSupernaturalintroduced some kind of terrifying new beast to viewers, but season 1’s introduction of the Wendigo was particularly impactful.A lot was riding on this episode, in a way, after the essential exposition of the pilot episode (“Pilot”).
Supernaturalwas right to get started with its episodic storytelling as soon as episode 2.
Ideally, whilenoSupernaturalfan would skip the very first episodeof the show the next episode was a standalone story — and, a powerful one, at that.Supernaturalwas right to get started with its episodic storytelling as soon as episode 2, letting viewers know that they could expect to be able to dip in and out of it as suited them without feeling like they’d missed too much.
Supernatural Season 1, Episode 3
Episode 3, “Dead in the Water,” is another epic standaloneSupernaturalseason 1 episode that could be missed in an overview of the series.Relationships inSupernaturalwere explored to a greater extent as the show went on, and season 1, episode 3 dove deep into the hell that was love and loss in the family. As such, this episode remained relevant to the show’s wider themes while standing well on its own.
DID YOU KNOW:Dean and Sam introduced themselves as Agents Ford and Hamill, referring to the actors who played Han Solo and Luke Skywalker in the originalStar Warstrilogy.
It was wise forSupernaturalseason 1 to be so episodic, rather than having a serialized feel so early on. This enabled fans to get accustomed to the show’s characters, settings, look, and feel, while they decided if they would be long-term viewers or not. This episode starts to ramp up the tension between Sam and Dean while introducing another terrifying enemy for the brothers.Wendigos and ghosts were fair game for the Winchesters, all by episode 3 of season 1.
6Phantom Traveler
Supernatural Season 1, Episode 4
Jared Padalecki’s Sam Winchesterand Jensen Ackles' Dean ensured hilarity throughout “Phantom Traveler,” but didn’t create a complex plot arc that made the episode indispensable for a quick watch-through.This episode was one of season 1’s finest, and comes highly recommended for those looking intoSupernatural’sdemon lore or simply for some fantastic horror comedy TV. But it doesn’t contain major twists pertaining to the season’s finale.
Although not central to theSupernaturalcanon, this episode’s introduction to demons is also valuable.
This episode also doesn’t contain any major tie-ins to future seasons. However, as far as standalone episodes in season 1 go, it may be one of the better ones to watch.If a standalone or “filler” episode makes it to the cut-downSupernaturalmarathon, this should be the one, with viewers' first experience of holy water providing comedy gold.
5Bloody Mary
Supernatural Season 1, Episode 5
Riffing on abundant urban myth, “Bloody Mary” exemplifies what is so great aboutSupernatural, but doesn’t need to be watched to understand show.A scary ghost story, this episode is more filler than “Phantom Traveler,” but has fearsome thrills that make it worth a watch for those with time.Supernaturalshowrunner Eric Kripke said toThe Daily Telegraphthat American urban legends like that of “Bloody Mary” are a core founding concept of the show.
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Stories like those in “Bloody Mary” often say all people need to know about those who tell them.Revenge and drama abound in this highlight ofSupernaturalseason 1, but it can be left out for the most urgent of viewers.
4Hook Man
Supernatural Season 1, Episode 7
“Hook Man” is probably one of the less memorable standalone episodes ofSupernatural’sfirst season, operating on the scary thrills of a Captain Hook-type figure.This ghostly monster derives from urban myths as much as the ghosts of previous episodes,but may be slightly less original and scintillating than the spine-tingling terrors of “Dead in the Water.” It is probably the first season 1 episode that should be cut from a season 1 marathon.
That said, the episode does involve Sam getting close to a character called Lori, which provides an interesting setup for future episodes and seasons, at least emotionally.Despite Dean Winchester’s reputation as a ladies' man,Sam Winchester actually had more love interests than Dean inSupernatural.
3Bugs
Supernatural Season 1, Episode 8
“Bugs” lacks reference to Azazel,the yellow-eyed demon that serves as the series' main villain in Supernatural season 1. As such, it doesn’t move the plot forward significantly or drive any of the action in future seasons. However, it does deliver some seriously disturbing visuals.
The Winchester family can be watched on-screen in theSupernaturalspinoffThe Winchesters.
“Bugs” plays on the fear of creepy crawlies that inhabits the hearts of many viewers.The episode sends various bugs on murderous rampages when an old curse is triggered by a new building site. Exploring themes of Native American tradition and colonialism, this episode pulls no punches in the social commentary underlying its gruesome horror
2Asylum
Supernatural Season 1, Episode 10
“Asylum” is classic teen horror, but it’s not necessary to watch for an essentials-onlySupernaturalviewing session.“Asylum” is about a coming-of-age story around a naive, gormless couple exploring a dilapidated psychiatric ward. This will please a younger audience, but possibly play into the idea thatSupernaturallacks adult themes.
This Supernatural mid-season finale of season 1 aired on Jun 17, 2025, creating a fireside story for an autumnal evening.The method acting part of the episode is classic Kripke, somewhere between breaking the fourth wall and clever meta storytelling.
1Scarecrow
Supernatural Season 1, Episode 11
“Scarecrow” may be the last episode in Supernatural season 1 that could be described as fillerbefore the series' canon really starts kicking in. As the Winchesters hunted the yellow-eyed demon that appeared to kill Mary, they barreled closer to season 1’s epic finale.
Supernatural’s “Scarecrow” episode is a suitable end to season 1’s standalones. It is a wintry love letter to classic horror movies likeThe Wicker Man, whereby small town vibes end up being the death of the town. This important message points to the underlying charm of the series, which always highlights the value of individuality over an organized status quo that is dangerous in its uniformity.Supernaturalkeeps up its strong moral core and humor all the way past this episode and long into season 15.
Supernatural
Cast
Supernatural is a television series that follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, who were raised by their father to hunt and combat supernatural entities after losing their mother to a demonic force. Traversing the American landscape in their ‘67 Chevy Impala, they face numerous paranormal threats.
