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.
11 Reviews
Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?
claudio_carvalho4 December 2006
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")
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")
A rote slasher wastes the underlying material.
CubsandCulture30 August 2019
The show would eventually make much better use of theological themes than this is episode. It is not so much bad-it is an effective 80's style slasher-as underdeveloped. The ideas around religious zealotry and hypocrisy are mentioned and used to further the plot but not enough time is given to flesh them out. The college setting is also wasted as Sam doesn't spend enough time being wistful about the life he ends up missing.
I must say that the joke/trope of the boys getting thrown across the room only to drop their weapon is really, really used here way too much. In retrospect it is quite funny in this episode.
I must say that the joke/trope of the boys getting thrown across the room only to drop their weapon is really, really used here way too much. In retrospect it is quite funny in this episode.
A thriller that had me on the edge on my seat.
emily-s-1714 October 2006
I don't quite remember when it was aired, but I remember it being a thriller including an unmarked grave and a bloody death. But then again most episodes of Supernatural were good. In one part a roommate or someone was murdered and written in blood on the wall were the same words you hear in the urban legend. "Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?. Apparently it was written in a hook and looked like it had been. But it was a good episode. Watch with popcorn and a good toy to hug.
Also if you watch with your children some parts they may find scary or disturbing.
But without ruining to much I REALLY recommend watching it. You can buy the DVD set from K-Mart and probably rent it from video easy.
Also if you watch with your children some parts they may find scary or disturbing.
But without ruining to much I REALLY recommend watching it. You can buy the DVD set from K-Mart and probably rent it from video easy.
Great mystery
shwetafabm21 May 2020
Sam & Dean Battle the Hook Man
katierose29516 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This isn't my favorite episode. It's sort of slow and doesn't contribute anything major to the season's story arch. We do learn that John is deliberately avoiding the boys, keeping off all the known data bases and staying underground. But, that's not exactly news, since "Phantom Traveler" established as much several episodes ago. All in all, this episode has some nice monster-of-the-week stuff, but if you're in a hurry to get through the season, you can probably skip it and not miss much.
This episode revolves around the urban legend of the hookman. You know, the one with the lover's lane and the two teens making out in a car, then they hear something scratching on the roof. Anyway, a preacher's daughter named Lori and her boyfriend are attacked by something invisible while parking in a secluded spot. Sam & Dean roll into town and investigate her claims, by pretending to be students at the local college. They soon suspect the angry ghost of a religious zealot, who murdered "sinners" in the town. He had a silver hook for a hand, which matches the legend. Meanwhile, Lori's roommate, who wanted Lori to be more social, is killed in their dorm room while Lori sleeps. "Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?" is written on the walls in the roommate's blood. Dean salts and burns the bones of the hookman, thinking that it will stop him.
Meanwhile, Sam and Lori are getting closer. He's actually sort of attracted to her, which causes him some conflicted feelings because of Jessica. When Lori finds out that her father is having an affair with a married woman, she is furious at him. Soon after the hookman tries to kill the dad. Sam and Dean realize that the hookman is targeting people who are "sinners" and are connected to Lori. Since the bones were destroyed the decide that the hook must be keeping him around. (The scene where Sam & Dean work out that the hook is the key is really cute. The 2 of them talking back and forth, finishing each other's sentences and finally ending at the exact same conclusion. A nice way to show how in sync they're becoming.) Anyway, they trace the hook to the church where Lori's dad is the Reverend. The hook was melted into various objects, including the cross that Lori wore, and the boys have to destroy it all. The hookman dead, they prepare to leave town. Before they go, Sam kisses Lori good-bye.
There are some good parts to this episode. This is the first time we see the Salt Guns (or shotguns filled with rock-salt that the Winchester's use to force ghosts away.) Sam asks if Dean and John invented them and Dean says, yes. But, really, I doubt that John had much to do with it. It's a innovative, built-from-scratch weapon, that we haven't seen before, which was tells me it was Dean's idea. John's weapons are always shiny and newish. (see season one's "Dead Man's Blood.") Dean's the one who builds stuff. (Like the homemade EMF gadget in "Phantom Traveler.") And he's only pulling the gun out now that John is missing in action. I think he's giving his dad some credit, but it was Dean's invention. I also like how pleased Dean is with college experience. Where ever Dean goes he just finds things to enjoy and ways to fit in. I think it's because of his his life on the road, always having to adapt to new situations. His complaint that Sam was a "geek" for getting straight As instead of partying at Stanford is really cute. I also, like the scene in the church where Dean is so clearly uncomfortable. For all his belief in the unexplainable, Dean has trouble with the idea of God. (see season two's "House of the Holy.") It's a nice way to set up some of the questions about faith that Dean will face in the seasons to come. Finally, it's nice that a girl liked Sammy for a change. Even if she was being stalked by the hookman or whatever...
On the down side, having spent far too many years in institutes of higher learning, I really doubt that the local college had original records from prisons and churches going back hundreds of years just sitting in the stacks. Also, I'm not sure you can destroy silver in a commercial furnace like that.
My favorite part of the episode: Dean volunteering Sam to paint the college football fan a particularly lurid shade of purple-y blue for an upcoming game, because Sam's "The artist" in the family. Sam's panicked blink as he eyes the paint brush and Dean's smirk as he points out spots that Sam missed, just makes me laugh. I love it when Dean shoves all the embarrassing jobs and stories on to poor Sam. (see also, season two's "Playthings,") It's just a funny, older sibling thing to do.
This episode revolves around the urban legend of the hookman. You know, the one with the lover's lane and the two teens making out in a car, then they hear something scratching on the roof. Anyway, a preacher's daughter named Lori and her boyfriend are attacked by something invisible while parking in a secluded spot. Sam & Dean roll into town and investigate her claims, by pretending to be students at the local college. They soon suspect the angry ghost of a religious zealot, who murdered "sinners" in the town. He had a silver hook for a hand, which matches the legend. Meanwhile, Lori's roommate, who wanted Lori to be more social, is killed in their dorm room while Lori sleeps. "Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?" is written on the walls in the roommate's blood. Dean salts and burns the bones of the hookman, thinking that it will stop him.
Meanwhile, Sam and Lori are getting closer. He's actually sort of attracted to her, which causes him some conflicted feelings because of Jessica. When Lori finds out that her father is having an affair with a married woman, she is furious at him. Soon after the hookman tries to kill the dad. Sam and Dean realize that the hookman is targeting people who are "sinners" and are connected to Lori. Since the bones were destroyed the decide that the hook must be keeping him around. (The scene where Sam & Dean work out that the hook is the key is really cute. The 2 of them talking back and forth, finishing each other's sentences and finally ending at the exact same conclusion. A nice way to show how in sync they're becoming.) Anyway, they trace the hook to the church where Lori's dad is the Reverend. The hook was melted into various objects, including the cross that Lori wore, and the boys have to destroy it all. The hookman dead, they prepare to leave town. Before they go, Sam kisses Lori good-bye.
There are some good parts to this episode. This is the first time we see the Salt Guns (or shotguns filled with rock-salt that the Winchester's use to force ghosts away.) Sam asks if Dean and John invented them and Dean says, yes. But, really, I doubt that John had much to do with it. It's a innovative, built-from-scratch weapon, that we haven't seen before, which was tells me it was Dean's idea. John's weapons are always shiny and newish. (see season one's "Dead Man's Blood.") Dean's the one who builds stuff. (Like the homemade EMF gadget in "Phantom Traveler.") And he's only pulling the gun out now that John is missing in action. I think he's giving his dad some credit, but it was Dean's invention. I also like how pleased Dean is with college experience. Where ever Dean goes he just finds things to enjoy and ways to fit in. I think it's because of his his life on the road, always having to adapt to new situations. His complaint that Sam was a "geek" for getting straight As instead of partying at Stanford is really cute. I also, like the scene in the church where Dean is so clearly uncomfortable. For all his belief in the unexplainable, Dean has trouble with the idea of God. (see season two's "House of the Holy.") It's a nice way to set up some of the questions about faith that Dean will face in the seasons to come. Finally, it's nice that a girl liked Sammy for a change. Even if she was being stalked by the hookman or whatever...
On the down side, having spent far too many years in institutes of higher learning, I really doubt that the local college had original records from prisons and churches going back hundreds of years just sitting in the stacks. Also, I'm not sure you can destroy silver in a commercial furnace like that.
My favorite part of the episode: Dean volunteering Sam to paint the college football fan a particularly lurid shade of purple-y blue for an upcoming game, because Sam's "The artist" in the family. Sam's panicked blink as he eyes the paint brush and Dean's smirk as he points out spots that Sam missed, just makes me laugh. I love it when Dean shoves all the embarrassing jobs and stories on to poor Sam. (see also, season two's "Playthings,") It's just a funny, older sibling thing to do.
Strong episode!
mm-3927 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
One of the weaker episodes of the strong firsts season. The two opposite brother's character development of the series is going great. Two different attitudes towards Sam and Dean at the college party is evident. Still trying to fine dad is a recurring story with the Hook Man episode, which mixes the car, clothes, great one liners and Dean's alpha demeanor for another great season 1 installment. The hook-man with the urban legends is hokey story line. Not one of the better, but still scary in a cheap b horror movie way. The acting, directing and cast is all believable for a b 80's horror movie. ( A few hints of Sam wanting Dean to stay with him, but wishes Sam had a normal life.) Would not call Hook Man a classic episode, but a good one. 7 out 10 stars.
A very big guilty pleasure.
snwbatz3 June 2022
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.
If u hear squealing don't get out of the car just runaway
zombiehigh1828 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Lori goes on a date with her boyfriend but he gets killed with some invisible man who leaves the body hanging upside down on the car. Later her room mate gets killed while she was sleeping in the same room at night. The brothers go in town to investigate the murders to find that it's the spirit of an angry priest who haunts people down for immorality. This is a mediocre stand alone episode that doesn't add up to the arch of the story, so you won't miss much if you skip it but that doesn't mean it's entertaining. (Just that there were better ones).
There are some good parts in this one:
1- I like how Dean always volunteers Sam in all kinds of embarrassing situations, and Sam is always helpless with him.
2- We know that their father doesn't want to be found which makes you wonder, what is he keeping from the boys? and what kind of job is he doing?
3- Dean is the one who always fits in all kinds of different places and always finds the fun in that (He charmed the college girl just by standing there)
4- Sam still can't get over Jessica and he still finds it hard to get into new relationship even though we can see that he liked Lori.
5- This episode also throws some light on Dean's faith issues.
My vote is 6 out of 10.Not bad after all, Just not my favorite.
There are some good parts in this one:
1- I like how Dean always volunteers Sam in all kinds of embarrassing situations, and Sam is always helpless with him.
2- We know that their father doesn't want to be found which makes you wonder, what is he keeping from the boys? and what kind of job is he doing?
3- Dean is the one who always fits in all kinds of different places and always finds the fun in that (He charmed the college girl just by standing there)
4- Sam still can't get over Jessica and he still finds it hard to get into new relationship even though we can see that he liked Lori.
5- This episode also throws some light on Dean's faith issues.
My vote is 6 out of 10.Not bad after all, Just not my favorite.
Burn x2
originalksd11 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The plot seem to basic and empty, it is after all the first season.
Female character is missing basic....character, boyfriend is murdered in front of her, yet she is easily willing to make out with Sam.
And another thing that is off, as far as story telling, about the methods used to vanquish Ghosts : The story has the W brothers trying to find what needs to burn to eliminate the ghost.
And when that is found we are told that the original object had already been burned (melted / re-forged).
So they find the re-forged object, burn it and save the day (night)....
So burning it doesn't work, but burning it does ?!?!
Female character is missing basic....character, boyfriend is murdered in front of her, yet she is easily willing to make out with Sam.
And another thing that is off, as far as story telling, about the methods used to vanquish Ghosts : The story has the W brothers trying to find what needs to burn to eliminate the ghost.
And when that is found we are told that the original object had already been burned (melted / re-forged).
So they find the re-forged object, burn it and save the day (night)....
So burning it doesn't work, but burning it does ?!?!
The college girl was annoying
hnt_dnl30 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This episode was very predictable the first episode where I was super annoyed by the female guest star. Surprisingly, all the prior femme fatale roles up to this point had been effective and well acted, but this girl with her constant whining and screaming was just too much. The irony is that she's the one who appeared like she was going to feel like most complex, yet she came across as very 1-dimensional. Looks can be deceiving. This girl was just a useless damsel-in-distress. Within the first 2 minutes, I hated her and wish she would be the one the Hook Man took!
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