The pilot episode of Supernatural's failed spinoff series, "Bloodlines," holds the unfortunate title of being the show's most disliked episode. As the original Supernatural series nears its end after 15 seasons, fans are eagerly anticipating the final battles of the Winchester brothers against God himself. If there were a spinoff series currently airing, it might help cushion the blow for the loyal followers of Supernatural.
The first attempt at a spinoff came in season 9 with "Bloodlines." The idea was to shift the setting of the show from rural America to the bustling city of Chicago, where various supernatural creatures such as vampires and werewolves were engaged in a mafia-style turf war. Unfortunately, this concept never made it past the pilot episode.
In 2018, Supernatural tried again with "Wayward Sisters," but once again, they failed to launch a successful spinoff. Unless the remaining episodes of Supernatural disappoint significantly, "Bloodlines" will hold the distinction of being the show's lowest-rated episode, with a score of 5.8 out of 10 on IMDB. The episode received criticism for its tonal shift and lack of connection to the main series.
The concept of a monster mafia also came off as cheesy and lacked the humor that fans were used to in Sam and Dean's adventures. The failure of "Bloodlines" as a standalone episode and as a potential spinoff highlights the misjudgment behind its creation. The lack of focus on the central trio of Sam, Dean, and Castiel and the absence of familiar characters can be blamed for its low rating. Other potential spinoff ideas, such as the Ghost Facers and Garth's werewolf family, had more appeal and could have incorporated familiar characters.
The second backdoor pilot, "Wayward Sisters," received a better reception from fans and currently holds a rating of 8.4 on IMDB. It centered around Jodie and her group of female hunters, offering a combination of action and drama within a surrogate family dynamic.
However, the CW did not greenlight a full series based on this pilot, disappointing fans once again. If The CW decides to revisit the idea of a spinoff after Supernatural concludes, they may find a willing audience. However, it is clear that the concept of "Bloodlines" did not resonate with fans, and the show's low rating indicates that other more attractive spinoff options were available. Currently, Supernatural season 15 is on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.