Although Supernatural season 1 had great episodes that laid the foundations for future plotlines.
From the beginning, Supernatural’s horror movie per episode plan is evident, with each episode in season 1 focusing on a new case involving a new monster. The first few episodes of Supernatural set up what to expect from the show, detailing the ways monsters can be killed and the overall relationship between the Winchester brothers and their missing father. With memorable episodes such as “Bloody Mary” and “Skin,” Supernatural season 1 establishes a gritty narrative that makes you want to keep watching, yet for me, the episode that really drew me into the show was season 1, episode 9, “Home.”
Supernatural Season 1's "Home" Is The Show's First Truly Great Episode
Season 1 Had Lots Of Good Episodes, But "Home" Stands Out
While there are a lot of really good episodes in Supernatural season 1, “Home” stands out for me for several reasons. The first few episodes in season 1 focus on Sam getting back into the hunting life after losing his girlfriend, Jessica. While this was a necessary character build-up, nothing was driving me beyond the mystery of John Winchester (a character we had yet to meet) being missing and a strange fire. However, when Sam experiences a nightmare in Supernatural’s “Home,” it introduces the Azazel storyline and reintroduces the Winchesters' parents, John and Mary.
One Of Supernatural's Earliest Episodes Was A Blatant Copy Of This $666 Million Horror Franchise
Supernatural's "Phantom Traveler" episode from season 1 blatantly copies Final Destination, but it is not the only time the franchise is referenced.
Dreaming of someone in trouble at their old house, Sam implores Dean to investigate, and they discover that a poltergeist has been residing in their childhood home, haunting the new residents; a mother and her two children. Yet the episode takes a surprising turn when Mary Winchester’s ghost shows up and defeats the poltergeist to save her sons, destroying herself in the process. Furthermore, at the end of “Home,” John Winchester is frustratingly revealed to be hiding from his sons at Missouri’s house – meaning they only just missed him – marking his first proper appearance in Supernatural since season 1’s pilot.
"Home" Gives An Early Insight Into Supernatural's Immense Lore
The Special Children Are Introduced Through Sam
Supernatural’s “Home” gives viewers a teaser for what is to come in the show: the Azazel storyline and Sam’s Special Child abilities. In “Home,” Sam’s abilities are brought into play for the first time, and this doesn’t pay off until season 5 when Sam’s demon blood enables him to become the perfect vessel for Lucifer during the Apocalypse. When Sam experienced his first psychic vision in “Home,” it was the first time we, as viewers, were clued into a deeper story happening and provided a defining moment in Supernatural as it was the turning point for the Azazel storyline.
Mary Winchester was resurrected by Amara in season 11’s finale as a gift to Dean. She played a part in the conflicts with the Men of Letters and the Alternate Universe but was accidentally killed by the Nephilim Jack in season 14.
Mary Winchester’s death in Supernatural was another part of the Azazel plot and started the Winchesters’ journey as hunters. Therefore, when “Home” explored the ramifications of that on-screen, I thought it was a cool way for the much older Sam and Dean to confront their traumatic past. The episode also showed that monsters in Supernatural are not all evil, as Mary saved both of her sons and the new owners from the poltergeist, proposing a deeper lore about ghosts. Interestingly, Mary was resurrected in Supernatural season 12, making her surprise appearance in “Home” even more important for future seasons.
Supernatural's "Home" Establishes The Family Theme That Runs Through The Entire Show
"Family Don't End With Blood"
As a result of all the Winchesters appearing in “Home,” it establishes the family theme that forms a big part of the show. The Winchester family has a big presence in Supernatural’s “Home,” making the haunting almost a subplot. John’s reluctance to visit his sons despite them revisiting their childhood home shows their strained relationship and demonstrates a complete contrast to Sam and Dean’s close relationship. Additionally, future seasons reveal that Mary had a deeper involvement with Azazel than previously realized, making her appearance as a ghost even more sad as she only ever wanted to protect her loved ones.
their family expands over the seasons as Dean declares that “Cas is family” in season 11 and Bobby makes a point of saying that “Family don’t end with blood” in season 3.
Family has always been an important part of Supernatural because, following John’s death, Sam and Dean only have each other left. Therefore, while Sam and Dean Winchester have made some mistakes in Supernatural, they always reunite, and their sibling relationship provides a huge interest in the show. However, their family expands over the seasons as Dean declares that “Cas is family” in season 11 and Bobby makes a point of saying that “Family don’t end with blood” in season 3. Supernatural’s “Home” was the one to set up this theme and started Azazel’s story, making it a game-changing episode.
Supernatural
- Release Date
- 2005 - 2020
- Network
- The CW
- Showrunner
- Eric Kripke
Cast
Sam Winchester
Dean Winchester
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
- Seasons
- 15
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