Revisiting Supernatural: Episodes That Haven't Aged So Gracefully

Ah, Supernatural. What a ride it was, wasn't it? For fifteen glorious seasons, from 2005 to 2020, Sam and Dean Winchester, portrayed so perfectly by Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, captivated us with their demon-hunting, monster-slaying, brotherly bond. It's a show that carved out a massive, devoted fanbase, and honestly, for good reason! Created by Eric Kripke, it gave us epic storylines, unforgettable characters, and countless moments that had us on the edge of our seats. But, and it's a pretty big 'but' when you look back with fresh eyes, not every single one of its 327 episodes has aged like a fine wine. In fact, some of them, well, they just don't hold up today. Let's talk about a few of those.

Kicking things off, we've got "Bugs" from way back in Season 1, Episode 8. Airing in 2005, it felt like a classic monster-of-the-week episode at the time. But watching it now, the way it leans into the harmful trope of Native Americans as the 'big bad,' specifically through a curse tied to their land, it's pretty uncomfortable. It's a prime example of a lazy narrative choice that perpetuates damaging stereotypes, and frankly, we've moved past needing that kind of storytelling.

Then there's "Route 666," also from Season 1, Episode 13. This one, which first aired in 2006, was actually called out by creator Eric Kripke himself as one of his least favorite. And you know, it's not hard to see why. The whole premise involves the Winchesters battling a 'racist truck,' if you can believe it, a spirit born from a white man's hatred over an interracial relationship. While the intention might have been to address racism, the execution feels clumsy and, honestly, quite bizarre today.

Fast forward a bit to Season 8's "Man's Best Friend with Benefits" (Episode 15, 2013). Oh, boy. This episode is a minefield of deeply problematic elements. It depicts a romantic, even sexual, relationship between a witch, James, and his familiar – a Black woman who transforms from a canine and wears a dog collar. The issues here are manifold: consent is blurred, there are undeniable bestiality undertones, and the racial implications of a Black woman in a submissive role, especially with a dog collar, are just plain offensive. It's an episode that really makes you wince.

Speaking of unsettling canine connections, "All Dogs Go To Heaven" (Season 6, Episode 8, 2010) also steps into murky territory. Here, a male skinwalker, who can transform into a dog, lives unknowingly with a woman and her child. The episode highlights him doing 'creepy things,' like watching her change. Again, the questions of consent and the uncomfortable hints of bestiality are front and center, leaving a rather queasy feeling long after the credits roll.

Let's not forget "The One You've Been Waiting For," Season 12, Episode 5 from 2016. This one is perhaps one of the most baffling. It resurrects Hitler's soul, albeit for just a few minutes, and depicts him dancing around, completely enamored with social media. Playing Nazis for laughs, trivializing the immense suffering millions endured during the Holocaust, it feels like an incredibly misguided attempt at humor that cheapens a horrific chapter of human history. It’s a definite no-go.

Moving on, "Time for a Wedding" (Season 7, Episode 8, 2011) centers around Becky, a recurring, somewhat obsessive Winchester superfan. In this episode, she uses a love potion on Sam, manipulating him into marrying her. This storyline is deeply problematic because it completely negates Sam's consent for marriage and other decisions, creating optics that are just plain wrong. It highlights a recurring issue in media where magical compulsion is often used to bypass consent, which is never okay.

Then there's the heartbreaking "Dark Dynasty" (Season 10, Episode 21, 2015). This episode saw the death of Charlie, played by the amazing Felicia Day. Charlie was a universally adored, brilliant LGBTQ+ tech genius – a character who resonated with so many. Her death, however, felt less like a vital plot point and more like a continuation of the show's well-known habit of killing off beloved female characters, often to fuel the angst and storylines of the male leads. The backlash from fans was immense, and rightly so, as it felt like a cheap narrative device.

Finally, we come to "Swap Meat" (Season 5, Episode 12, 2010). In this episode, Sam is unwillingly body-swapped with a teenage boy. The truly problematic part? The boy, while in Sam's body, uses it to lose his virginity. This means Sam did not consent to his body being used sexually, and the woman involved was also deceived, unknowingly giving consent under false pretenses. It's a really stark example of non-consensual acts played for, perhaps, comedic effect, but it lands with serious implications regarding bodily autonomy and consent.

So, while Supernatural holds a special place in many hearts, it's clear that some episodes, when viewed through a modern lens, highlight significant missteps. Issues like a profound lack of consent, harmful stereotypes, the uncomfortable blurring of lines with bestiality, and the unfortunate pattern of sacrificing female characters are hard to ignore. It just goes to show that even the most cherished shows can have their problematic moments, reminding us of the importance of critical re-evaluation as times and sensibilities evolve.