Navigating the Supernatural Landscape: Which Episodes to Skip for a Smooth Rewatch

After a two-year break, many fans of Supernatural like to rewatch the series to reignite the excitement of the early days. However, not all episodes are created equal, especially in seasons 3 and 4. Here's a guide to help you skip through certain episodes, allowing you to enjoy the show without the vessel/apocalypse/god/lucifer story arcs.

Season 4: A Quick Summary for Skipping

Season 4 is notorious for its focus on these problematic story arcs, which can be tedious. You can skip much of it, except for episodes 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 16, 20, 21, and 22. These episodes are still relevant to the overall narrative and save you time. Additionally, it's clear the writers were eager to move past this phase, showcasing that the episodes lack substantial story content.

Season 5: Cutting to the Chasing

From Season 5, the show takes a more focused approach as it picks up steam around episode 10, introducing Crowley. You can skip almost all of the first nine episodes, focusing on episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 18, and parts of 20, 21, and 22. There are a few enjoyable episodes here, but much of the early portion can be skipped.

Season 6: Back to Basics

Season 6 brings back the fun and excitement of the early seasons, with memorable episodes like "Clap Your Hands If You Believe." This episode is particularly entertaining as a parody of The X-Files, showcasing the show's comedic side. Most of the season is entertaining, and it's worth going through to enjoy the Alpha Monsters storyline and the comeback of soulless Sam, who is a refreshing change of pace.

Seasons 7 and 9: Teresting Monstrosities

Seasons 7 and 9 are quite entertaining, with a monster focus but still keeping the plot engaging. Season 9, while not as strong overall, features Abaddon as a formidable adversary, making it harder to skip any episodes. However, some may find Episodes 7 and 14 of Season 9 less compelling and can be skipped. Season 10 returns to the consistent entertainment value of earlier seasons.

Seasons 11, 13, and 15: Skimming Through the Surface

As seasons progress, there's a greater emphasis on writing and less new plot ideas. In Season 11, you can skip most of the episodes, focusing on the handful with fresh storylines. Season 13, while entertaining in parts, lacks originality. The final season, 15, is not recommended for those who want to maintain their blissful ignorance about the outcome. Revisiting Season 14 is also unnecessary and unenjoyable.

By following this guide, you can enjoy the best parts of the show and avoid the tedious episodes that can drag down the experience. Happy rewatching!