Ranking the Supernatural Season 2 episodes from worst to best

Now that we’ve finished looking back at the Supernatural Season 2 episodes, it’s time to rank them in order from worst to best. Just which episode makes it to the top of the list?

Supernatural Season 2 had a number of strong episodes. Creating this ranking of the episodes definitely wasn’t easy. I used a variety of methods to help with the ranking, looking at the ratings from the audience on IMDb, specific moments in the episodes that make them stand out, how memorable they are, and how important they are for the season or the overall series.

I also looked at the fear factor. There is one particular episode that I don’t watch in a rerun, but it’s not the worst one. The only reason I don’t watch it again is because of the use of clowns—I have the same fear as Sammy—but it is an important episode and when the clown is taken out it’s a good one, so it ranks higher than I would necessarily choose.

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Here’s a look at how all 22 episodes of the season rank. Take a look through and let me know if you agree.

Episode 4: Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things

By far, the worst episode of the whole of Supernatural Season 2 is “Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things.” This episode attempted to introduce zombies for the first time in an interesting fashion, but it just wasn’t that memorable.

The most important element that came out of this episode was Dean’s struggles, knowing that he was never supposed to live. While he doesn’t remember everything about being a ghost, he knows that his dad did something that brought him back to life. He completely broke with anger and Sammy instantly realized that there was something deeper at play.

Episode 13: Houses of the Holy

While this was an interesting way to hint that angels were real, it wasn’t the greatest episode. In the end, it turned out to be a vengeful spirit with a weird plot hole. Previously, we’d been told ghosts couldn’t cross concentrated ground, but this was a vengeful spirit in the middle of a church.

The episode did show up the depiction of Michael with the sword. We got that foreshadowing that angels wouldn’t sit on wings and play harps all day; they’re soldiers. The episode also showed us the differences between the way the brothers think about angels and religion—Dean doesn’t have faith, while Sammy needs to know that there’s something good out there with all the evil in the world. This small element is important, but doesn’t really take up much time.

Episode 18: Hollywood Babylon

Clearly, this was just one of those episodes that would take up a little time before getting into the final episodes of Supernatural Season 2. It was just a filler and acted that way throughout the whole episode. It was a relatively simple case, but showed us how meta the show would become in the future.

One thing this episode did give us was some hilarious moments for the Winchesters. We had mentions of Gilmore Girls to acknowledge Jared Padalecki’s time on the series, while Dean full on launched himself into being a PA because of his love for the food. It was a bit of fun and an episode you can throw on whenever you feel like it.

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Episode 10: Hunted

As much as I do enjoy Gordon Walker’s character and would have liked to see more from him, this episode just wasn’t great. In fact, if it wasn’t for the focus on Special Children, it would likely be completely forgettable. What this did give us was a clear sign of the steps Gordon would take to make sure the world didn’t have any supernatural creatures. It confirmed that he just saw the world as black and white.

“Hunted” also gave us Ava, who had the exact same powers as Sam. Unfortunately, we didn’t get much about her and she was taken pretty quickly after that. We knew she’d turn up eventually, but she wasn’t memorable enough to feel like a threat when she did turn up.

Episode 3: Bloodlust

Hot off the back of Gordon’s second appearance, we get his first appearance in the series. Again, it’s not that I don’t love Gordon; I really do. However, his episodes just haven’t been that great! It’s no fault of Sterling K. Brown. The problem is really the overall storyline within the episodes, especially when up against other strong contenders in Supernatural Season 2.

In this episode, we got to see a different side of vampires; those that want to feed on animals. Gordon makes it extremely clear that he’s not interested in the idea of good vampires. All monsters are evil. This is a view that Dean has certainly had in the past and had at this point, until things started getting a little too close to his family. It gave us what Dean could have turned into had it not been for Sam.

Episode 2: Everybody Loves a Clown

This is the episode that I don’t watch again. However, it’s an episode that is important and I do watch the odd clip that doesn’t involve the clowns. This episode gave us the introductions of Ash, Ellen, and Jo, all key players in the second season and characters we definitely miss. It also gave us the scene at the end of Dean trying to work through his anger by taking it out on Baby.

The episode did introduce an interesting creature that we haven’t seen since. We also got a lot of important discussions between Sam and Dean, since it was the episode after John’s death. It really is just the clown!

Episode 5: Simon Said

The Special Children storyline was important for the season, but the episodes involving them until the end aren’t the greatest. “Simon Said” introduced us to Andy and I really wish we’d gotten more episodes with him. He was a quirky and fun character, with an extremely interesting ability.

What we did get with this episode is the way two people with the same ability could act so differently. While Andy isn’t the most moral of guys, he doesn’t use his powers to kill. He wants to just live his life. Meanwhile, his brother seeks out revenge with his abilities.

Episode 7: The Usual Suspects

This is where it starts to get tricky with the ranking. “The Usual Suspects” is certainly a strong episode, but it’s a filler one. What we do get is a look at how spirits aren’t always there to harm. They can be death omens with a message about their killer.

This episode also gave us another human killer. We’re reminded that not all monsters are supernatural beings. Some of the worst are the humans, especially as they fear they’re going to get caught. Fortunately, Sam and Diana worked it out in time to save Dean from certain death.

Episode 9: Croatoan

While an important episode, it’s not one that was filled with the most excitement compared to many others in Supernatural Season 2. We got the introduction of the disease, one that I thought would play a bigger part in the whole of the show but one that we haven’t seen since the first five seasons wrapped.

“Croatoan” also helps to give us more of an insight into the Special Children. We learn that Sam doesn’t get infected because of his demon blood. It’s just the first sign that there’s a much bigger plan involved and Sammy could be in danger.

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Episode 15: Tall Tales

It’s no secret that I don’t like Gabriel, but I did love the Trickster when he first showed up. This was a different type of “monster,” one that wanted to have some fun. He did kind of only go up against the worst people in the area to teach them a lesson.

This was a funny, standalone episode. I loved the moments between Sam and Dean, as they started arguing with each other, and adored that Bobby was brought into it. However, it was just a filler episode and there were more important ones in the season. When it comes to putting random episodes on, this is one of the first on my list.

Episode 16: Roadkill

When it comes to episodes that give us reminders that not all ghosts are the same, “Roadkill” is an important one. We get to see the prejudice Dean has but the lessons he learns along the way. Molly doesn’t even realize she is a ghost or that she killed a man on the road that fateful night. She has no idea that she’s stuck in a loop.

We also get a new way of dealing with the spirits. Dean and Sam help Molly move on out of choice instead of becoming a vengeful spirit herself. It’s actually quite beautiful, but still just a filler episode to space out the overall story.

Episode 19: Folsom Prison Blues

Like previous ones on the list, this is another filler episode. We get to see the sorts of steps the brothers will go to help make sure ghosts are taken care of. In this case, they head into prison and that means getting themselves caught. Of course, we knew they were up to something but it is fun seeing Agent Hendrickson believe that he has them right where he wants them.

It’s a standard case overall. What we do get is a fun mention of how Sam has an idiot for a brother, and you just can’t help but chuckle. Overall, it’s fun but not important for the whole season or the Winchester character development, except to make them both wanted men.

Episode 11: Playthings

We get another vengeful spirit case but with a twist. This episode is definitely creepy with those dolls, but it’s the ghost that also has a twist. She isn’t actually after revenge, but she’s lonely. Deep down, we want to feel for her. She’s only a young girl, although going about getting a friend the wrong way.

In the end, we get a sacrifice from the girl’s sister—now an old woman who has tried to protect her family for years from this spirit. We also see a drunk Sammy, which is something you’ll want to watch over and over again.

Episode 14: Born Under a Bad Sign

This is where we start getting a little more focused on the overall storyline. “Born Under a Bad Sign” brings up the idea that Sammy could be evil because of his abilities. Could that demon blood affect his morality?

Fortunately not, but the episode certainly has us worried for a while. In the end, we realize that we’re getting a connection to the first season. Meg is back and she’s willing to make Dean and Bobby extremely worried about Sammy. Oh, and she wants revenge.

Episode 6: No Exit

Jo gets onto her first and only case with the Winchesters, but also means that she becomes bait. This episode brings an element of real history with H.H. Holmes and we get to see just how much Sammy loves serial killers. In his defense, they are fascinating but he takes his fanboying to a whole new level.
While the use of real history of interesting, it’s the connection to the Winchesters’ past and John that pushes this episode to the top. We finally learn why John has been avoiding Ellen for so long and why she’s so protective of her daughter. One thing I dislike is that Jo takes her anger about the situation out on Dean and Sam. John’s actions were not their fault.

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Episode 17: Heart

Sammy finally gets to move on and this is a big episode for him. However, it starts up the belief that Sam is just ill-fated when it comes to love. Madison is a werewolf and she asks him to shoot her because she just can’t do it herself—selfish, but he goes along with it.

This episode also gives us that brotherly protective moment from Dean. He wants to shield Sam from the pain of killing a loved one, but Sammy takes it upon himself. That tear that falls is heartbreaking as the gunshot goes off. Plus we’re introduced to werewolves for the first time, which will later become important creatures.

Episode 1: In My Time of Dying

The Supernatural Season 2 premiere is certainly an important episode and one of the best for the season. It narrowly misses out on the top 5 of the season, but purely because it’s just so hard to choose between them at this point.

This is the episode that introduces some major plot points. Firstly, we get Yellow Eyes back—and Frederic Lehne takes on the role and he’s my favorite recurring guest star of the whole season (possibly of the whole series if I really think about it). Secondly, we have the reapers and the explanation of how vengeful spirits form. Thirdly, we get the idea of deals being created. Is there any reason this episode isn’t up here?

Episode 12: Nightshifter

There are so many reasons this episode gets into the top 5. Let’s just start with that it’s Agent Hendrickson’s first appearance. He is my favorite FBI agent and I wish we got more of him in the series as a whole. He could have become an awesome hunter and someone to really support the brothers when they were in trouble.

We also get the shapeshifters back and that whole creepy idea that they can be anyone. When the Winchesters find themselves in a dangerous predicament, they manage to work their way out of it with an ingenious plan.

Episode 8: Crossroad Blues

We get a mixture of real history, real legends, and the crossroad deals. This episode has it all and is extremely important for the series as a whole. We also get that connection back to the Supernatural Season 2 premiere and what happened to John Winchester.

Robert Johnson’s story comes to life (although I will admit that I prefer Timeless’ version of his story), while introducing the idea of crossroad demons. We know it’s going to play a part later for Dean, but little did we know how it would play apart.

Episode 21: All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 1

This is the episode that it’s clear how the crossroad demons will play a role for Dean. The Winchesters are separated, as Yellow Eyes takes Sammy to be with the other Special Children. It’s a Battle Royale style kill or be killed situation, as they all go up against one another to be the strongest to lead the demon army.

Dean gets there but it’s too late. Jake is able to kill Sammy. Since this was the first time a Winchester brother died, we were understandably shocked. Who would have thought they’d actually kill off one of the main characters?

Episode 20: What Is and What Should Never Be

This was the first episode of Supernatural I ever saw in full (“Everybody Loves a Clown” was the first one I watched but only caught the Winchesters meeting Ellen and Jo and never saw the rest of it). It certainly has a special place in my heart but there’s a bigger reason it gets the #2 spot. This is a major look at Dean’s mind.

Dean clearly misses his mom and has all these idolized memories of her. He pictures her as this perfect mom, which we know now is definitely not the case. Maybe Dean’s memories of her have affected the way we see her now, but they are important. Plus, we get a look at what could have been. Dean is willing to sacrifice his relationship with his brother to make sure Sammy is happy. It’s clear that he will always come last in the family in his own mind.

Episode 22: All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 2

And in case the 20th episode wasn’t clear at where Dean ranks himself in the family, the Supernatural Season 2 finale will. He sacrifices his own soul to bring his brother back from the dead. But that’s not the reason this episode ranks the highest. It’s that powerful monologue that Jensen Ackles delivers to Sam’s dead body.

Plus, it’s the overall storyline coming to an end. Yellow Eyes is killed and John Winchester is able to escape hell. All those demons are released and it feels like the whole Special Children’s arc has come to an end. Little did we know that this was just the beginning.

Next: Ranking the Supernatural Season 1 episodes

What were your favorite episodes of Supernatural Season 2? Do you agree with this list? Drop us a note in the comments to let us know.

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