The fantastic part about Supernatural is that it opens with a Halloween episode, complete with flickering lights and a spooky house — perfect for both a series based in the paranormal and the fact that Allhallows Eve is right around the corner. But actually, there are many fantastic things about Supernatural, which is why The CW drama/fantasy/horror carried on for a staggering 15 seasons (327 episodes) and racked up 127 nominations, including three for Primetime Emmy® Awards.

With many complicated storylines, themes and characters that could be studied, there are a few core elements that made Supernatural such a phenomenon.

Brotherly love

It all started with that brotherly love between two actors with very good chemistry: Jensen Ackles (Smallville) and Jared Padalecki (Gilmore Girls) as vigilante monster hunters. Now, this dynamic duo goes from hunting your average wendigo all the way up to God, with increasingly better banter as they go. Their relationship, their origins — their mother was murdered by a demon, setting their father John (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan of The Walking Dead) on the monster-hunting path, training his young sons in combat rather than playing catch — and even their last name all tie in neatly to the show’s tone and themes. It’s their bond that anchors even the wildest of paranormal activity and was partially why the series began to increasingly focus on them (for better or worse, depending on the critic you’re talking to) rather than the monster-of-the-week structure it began with.

Screenwriters take note: even their intro (not the one as baby and toddler) is memorable because it’s unexpected. And on a show that relies on the unexpected to illicit scares for the audience, it’s a great little nugget of writing (and acting, directing and cinematography).

Setting a supernatural tone

...with a side of Western vibes. Sam and Dean’s last name is Winchester, after all — as in Winchester rifles that were first manufactured in the 1800s. There’s something to be said for naming monster hunters after a relic, but we’ll get to theme in a minute.

The pilot sets the tone with its spooky soundtrack, jump scares, and horror-movie tropes — as well as a ticking clock (Sam needs to be back by Monday) and the fact that the brothers must operate in secret puts them in direct opposition of law enforcement (and will continue to do so to increasing detriment throughout the series). There’s even a meta-nod to Mulder and Scully.

Another main family member introduced in the pilot is Baby, Dean’s ’67 Impala, the imposing look of which suits the show’s tone to a T. Apparently, Kripke was inspired by shows such as Knight Rider that also featured signature cars.

Despite the number of writers on the show and revolving door of showrunners, which spanned from Sera Gamble (of the current buzzworthy show You) to Andrew Dabb, a consistent tone was maintained.

Centering thought

To help anchor that tone was the show’s themes. Or rather just one main theme: that of family. And we’re back to Sam and Dean. But beyond their fraternal bonds, their relationships over the seasons also explored the idea of found family and the ones we create (romantically). These bonds are what ground us, shake us, lead us to make irrational decisions, and can generally drive us insane. The loss of his wife is what drives John Winchester to life as a monster hunter, and why he drags his young sons into it. The loss of his girlfriend is what brings Sam back to hunting in the pilot, kicking off the series. Our relationships define us, whether we want them to or not. They’re also what make for really empathetic characters to keep audiences tuning in for 16 years.

In retrospect

One can tell a lot of stories in the span of 300+ episodes, proof that a strong story engine and a well-characterized cast can have serious legs. And I know we’re talking about horror stories here, but I don’t mean that literally.

The show’s fandom is deep and devoted to the Winchester brothers and the various demons, ghosts, monsters and other ghoulish activity they encounter as "hunters."  Whether fans loved or hated the finale (which will always be the case, as the show’s run was a lot of time to rack up a lot of fans), in general, the series is nothing short of a cult phenomenon. Supernatural has spawned fan fiction, its own global fan conventions, comics, a role-playing game, and (most notably) more shows, including a prequel coming to The CW and exec produced by Ackles and his wife Danneel, with former Supernatural co-exec producer Robbie Thompson.

Because, in the words of Dean Winchester, "Of course you should be afraid of the dark! You know what’s out there."