Editor's note: The below contains spoilers for The Winchesters.The CW’s new prequel follows the adventures of John Winchester (Drake Rodger) and Mary Campbell (Meg Donnelly) as their first meeting and subsequent life together go a little differently than Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) heard it. Already, John and Mary are hunting together, trying to find their missing fathers — Mary’s father Samuel, who went missing during a hunt, and John’s father Henry, who has been missing for years.

Though we’re only two episodes in, the prequel has introduced some unique connections to the original, particularly those that are somewhat in between the lines for fans of the flagship show. This is especially true when it comes to Mary, the young hunter that parallels her oldest son in the early days of in so many ways.

Dean and Mary Have Been Hunters Since the Beginning

Like Dean, Mary hasn’t had the easiest upbringing. Both were raised in the life of a hunter, having it thrust upon them as early as they can remember. They were training to kill monsters before they could read. They’ve known loss and abandonment more than they’ve known their fathers, but they remain devoted children, which is why they are so determined to track down their fathers, who they believe to be in danger in the first season of their respective shows.

(Though Dean arguably has it worse, as he was also forced to protect and take care of Sam before he could even take care of himself, while Mary didn’t have that same responsibility as far as we know. Mary has mentioned her late cousin Maggie in the prequel, who was like a sister to her, so it’s possible this dynamic could have been something like Dean and Sam’s as children.)

Given their similar upbringing, Dean in the early days and Mary have very similar personalities, especially when it comes to a hunt.

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