Hook Man

"Hook Man," the seventh episode of Supernatural's first season, created by Eric Kripke and directed by David Jackson, presents a chilling exploration of urban legends through the lens of horror. This episode effectively combines supernatural elements with character development, particularly highlighting the dynamics between Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) as they confront a terrifying entity rooted in folklore.

The episode opens with a gripping scene that sets the tone for the horror to come. Laurie Sorenson, a college student, experiences a terrifying encounter with the Hook Man-a vengeful spirit who targets those he deems immoral. The tension escalates when Laurie's boyfriend, Rich, investigates strange noises outside their parked car and disappears, only to be discovered later hanging gruesomely from a tree. This shocking introduction draws viewers into the narrative, establishing the Hook Man as a formidable threat.

As Sam and Dean arrive to investigate the mysterious deaths linked to the Hook Man legend, they uncover a chilling connection to Laurie's father, a preacher who believes in punishing sinners. The brothers delve deeper into the lore surrounding the Hook Man, discovering that he was once a preacher himself who exacted revenge on those he considered immoral. This backstory adds layers to the narrative, intertwining personal beliefs with supernatural consequences.

David Jackson's direction effectively balances suspense and character-driven moments throughout "Hook Man." The cinematography captures both the eerie atmosphere of the college setting and the emotional weight of the characters' experiences. Notable scenes include Laurie reading a chilling message on her wall-"Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?"-which heightens the sense of dread and showcases clever writing that plays on common horror tropes.

Jensen Ackles delivers a standout performance as Dean, showcasing his trademark sarcasm while also revealing vulnerability as he navigates his protective instincts towards Sam and Laurie. Jared Padalecki effectively portrays Sam's determination to solve the mystery while grappling with his own feelings of guilt and responsibility. The chemistry between the brothers remains strong, adding depth to their relationship amidst the chaos.

Thematically, "Hook Man" explores issues of morality and judgment, reflecting on how personal beliefs can manifest in dangerous ways. The episode raises questions about guilt and retribution, particularly through Laurie's relationship with her father and her struggle to reconcile her own feelings about morality. This exploration of moral complexity elevates what could have been a straightforward horror story into something more thought-provoking.

"Hook Man" serves as an engaging installment in Supernatural, successfully blending horror elements with character development and thematic depth. While some critics have noted that it may not be as memorable as other episodes within the series due to its reliance on familiar horror tropes, it remains an entertaining watch that showcases the show's ability to intertwine folklore with contemporary issues. The episode stands as a testament to Supernatural's capacity for storytelling that resonates beyond mere scares, inviting viewers to reflect on their own beliefs about morality and justice.

One of the better lores and mysteries in supernatural.

In Iowa, amidst a community of dissolute frat students and strictly religious preachers, the fabulous supernatural crime-battling Winchester brothers encounter the most famous of all gruesome urban legends. During her first date with the most popular guy on campus, the shy preacher's daughter Lori hears eerie scraping noises atop of the car and senses a weird presence. Her boyfriend leaves the car to see what's out there, but traditionally ends up butchered and hanging over the roof of the car from the branches of a tree. The bloody incident immediately catches the attention of Sam & Dean, as the legend of the Hookman originally started with a preacher who killed persons of whom he thought they were immoral sinners. Especially after Lori's lurid roommate Taylor becomes the second victim, the brothers fear that the girl's father somehow summons the murderous spirit of the Hookman to kill for him. The only way to destroy the Hookman is to dig up his bones and burn them, but where to look for those? "Hookman" is another very exciting and remotely scary entry in Eric Kripke's great show "Supernatural". This episode has a recognizable killer, a couple of very impressive and straightforward action sequences and less humor than any of the previous episodes. The scene where Lori discovers she spent all night next to the bloodied dead body of her roommate ("Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the lights...") is effectively eerie and atmospherically choreographed. The make-up effects in this episode are particularly raw and gritty, and this Man with the Hook is a lot scarier than the sad killer in "I Know What You Did Last Summer". The script features a plausible and ingenious twist near the end, which makes this series all the more admirably and entertaining.

This is my biggest guilty pleasure episode of the whole show. I'm not going to defend the episode as good because it's certainly not. But there is some good stuff in the episode. For instance the episode is very well made and has really good production value. And the idea of bringing in The Hookman is a good idea. But unfortunately they don't do anything knew with the legend. They repeat all of the legends about The Hookman. The main reason why I gave the episode a passing grade is because of nostalgia and if you just want to have fun. And if that's all you want then you'll probably have a good time watching the episode like I do.

In Iowa, while dating in a car parked nearby a river, the Theta Sorority pledge Lori Sorenson (Jane McGregor) and her boyfriend hear a sharp noise on the body and top of the car. When the boy leaves the car to see what is happening, he is attacked by an invisible being and killed. Dean and Sam decide to investigate the phenomenon in their hunting trip and arrive in the University of Iowa. When Lori's roommate is also attacked and murdered, the brothers realize that they have to face the evil and moralist Hook Man.

In spite of having some scaring moments, like for example when Lori reads on the wall "Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?", I found this episode one of the weakest of "Supernatural". My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Homem Gancho" ("Hook Man")