The pilot does everything a good first episode should do. It gives you a flavor of the characters, gives a pretty good sense of the possibilities of the world and makes you want to watch the second episode right away. If I had one complaint about the opening it would be it is not as comedic as the show ended up being. It is true that over the years the show has shifted into more a melodrama, but the monster of the week format that plays for much of the early seasons is used to good effect here. The weeping woman (woman in white) is a good antagonist to build the pilot around as it is lore focused and a ghost with personality. Nutter's direction is very atmospheric. I wish the show kept the washed out look...it is just moodier.
This episode introduced the world to Sam and Dean; it is a classic of the show.
This episode introduced the world to Sam and Dean; it is a classic of the show.