Hell House

The best episode from season 1, has everything. So funny, makes me laugh every time I watch it. Great music in it too! They add in the paranormal investigators, whom are absolutely hilarious, the pranks add to the amusement. A good story line, original, and each of the characters are original in their own way. The teens are extremely typical, and the investigators are complete geeks, it's great! Sam and Dean pulling pranks on each other is a great idea, showing that they are brothers, it helps thicken their relationship. They're pranks are also great, and relate to the characters. (ex. Dean's hand stuck to the bottle, spoon in Sam's mouth)

I love the way the new characters introduced get built Motw is super cool And we see that sweet brotherly relationship This is the first time we see a comedic goofy underlay in a episode

"Hell House," the seventeenth episode of Supernatural's first season, created by Eric Kripke and directed by Chris Long, is a standout installment that masterfully blends humor with horror. This episode is notable for its exploration of the power of belief and the internet in shaping reality, as well as its comedic take on the brothers' relationship and their interactions with amateur ghost hunters.

The narrative begins with a prank war between Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), showcasing their playful side before they embark on an investigation into a haunted house in Richardson, Texas. The house is infamous for its legend of a farmer who hanged his six daughters, and it has become a popular spot for thrill-seekers. However, things take a turn when they discover that the house has become genuinely haunted due to the collective belief of those who visited it, fueled by online rumors and a mysterious symbol on the wall.

Chris Long's direction skillfully balances the comedic elements-such as the prank war and the antics of Ed and Harry, two bumbling ghost hunters inspired by Ghostbusters-with suspenseful moments as the brothers confront the evolving ghost of Mordecai. The cinematography enhances the eerie atmosphere of the house, particularly during scenes where the ghost transforms into different manifestations based on the stories people tell about it. Notable is the use of the Blue Oyster Cult symbol, which serves as a clever Easter egg for fans of classic rock.

Jensen Ackles shines as Dean, showcasing his sarcastic humor while also revealing his resourcefulness in dealing with supernatural threats. Jared Padalecki effectively portrays Sam's determination to uncover the truth behind the haunting. The chemistry between the brothers is highlighted through their playful banter and teamwork as they navigate both the ghost and the amateur ghost hunters. The guest cast, particularly Ed and Harry, adds comedic relief with their overconfidence and ineptitude, serving as a humorous foil to the Winchester brothers' expertise.

Thematically, "Hell House" explores issues of perception versus reality and the power of collective belief. The episode raises questions about how rumors and legends can take on lives of their own, especially in the age of the internet. This theme is cleverly woven throughout the narrative, as the ghost's form changes based on the stories people tell about it, illustrating how easily truth can become distorted. The episode also touches on the idea of faith and how it can shape our understanding of the world, setting the stage for future explorations of these themes in the series.

"Hell House" stands out as a memorable episode of Supernatural, combining humor with horror in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Its exploration of the power of belief and the internet in shaping reality makes it a timely commentary on modern society. By intertwining these elements with the brothers' relationship and their encounters with amateur ghost hunters, "Hell House" invites viewers to reflect on the blurred lines between truth and legend, making it a compelling watch that resonates beyond its comedic moments.

While the show is mostly focused for the family dynamics with horror as metaphor, Supernatural does have an undercurrent of meta commentary/satire on the horror genre. This episode is the first in this vein. It is the first episode that was a comedy. The (not yet named this) ghostfacers of Travis and Ed are gem comedic characters; apart from that the prank war the boys play on each other is expected and a lot of fun. The central point in this episode of how the lore becomes real because people believe in it is nice bit of commentary.

This is one of the most fun episodes of the show for several years.

Even with TV-show formats that you glorify unconditionally in general, there are always some episodes that you look forward to seeing more than the other ones. I loved practically all episodes of "Supernatural" thus far, but based on my own personal favorite horror movie themes, I mostly anticipated the ones featuring abandoned asylums, driverless vehicles and – like the case here – haunted houses. I'm a huge sucker for "House" movies, particularly the oldies like "The Old Dark House", "The Legend of Hell House" and William Castle's "House on Haunted Hill". And even though this episode of "Supernatural" didn't fully live up to my expectations, it is yet another vivid and imaginative installment with a solid script, good scenery and a wicked sense of humor. Wandering around in Richardson, Texas, Sam & Dean Winchester decide to investigate the local legend of a haunted farmhouse. They're not the only ones, however, as a duo of geeky amateur paranormal investigators (hosting their very own website and everything) continuously get in their way. But there's something strange about the house itself as well. According to the legend the house is inhabited by a the ghost of a farmer who hung his six daughters in the 1930's and now still strings up any woman daring to enter, but by the time of their second visit, the ghost suddenly transformed into an axe-wielding psychopath with slit wrists. There's a fairly unpredictable twist halfway through the episode that doesn't fit into any traditional horror pattern, but it's definitely innovating. Apart from original, "Hell House" is one of the – if not – THE funniest episode of series 1, with Sam and Dean constantly playing pranks on each other and the stereotypically goofy Ghostbusters duo Harry Spangler and Ed Zeddmore.