Supernatural: 10 Biggest Fan-Service Moments

Supernatural loved to experiment with metafiction, especially as a means to address its fanbase. One of the brilliant methods the writers developed to facilitate this was the introduction of the in-universe Supernatural books, written by the "prophet" Chuck Shurley, based on the Winchesters' lives.

One of the earliest examples of the show breaking the fourth wall and winking at the audience came in the fifth season episode, The Real Ghostbusters. This episode sees Sam and Dean being tricked into attending a Supernatural convention. Naturally, this comes as a shock to the boys as they are greeted by a car park full of '67 Impalas and a hotel full of Sam and Dean cosplayers.

While it would have been easy for the show to take this opportunity to mock overzealous fans, this episode actually treats them with a loving respect. Yes, they are obsessed with Sam and Dean and host panels on the "homoerotic subtext of Supernatural", but they are also shown to be regular, intelligent people who just happen to share a love for something.

A couple of cosplayers even manage to offer some wisdom to the real Sam and Dean, and the deceitful super fan Becky is somewhat redeemed by the end of the episode. After all, her knowledge of the books gives the boys some helpful insight into the wider arc of the season (while also providing the first mention of Crowley). It's a loving depiction of the Supernatural fandom and an expression of thanks from the show's creators.