Supernatural has faced controversy, fan disappointment, and a convoluted storyline throughout its 15-season run. One of its biggest flaws has been the mistreatment of its female characters. In the early seasons, there were few female characters who weren't just love interests. Even characters like Jo and Ellen, who had more involvement in the plot, eventually died. The show struggled with growing pains in its middle years, introducing characters like Meg and Charlie who had some depth before meeting their demise.
However, the female characters were mainly used as plot devices, often dying after falling in love with one of the Winchester brothers. The show did attempt to give some female characters more relevance, such as Claire and Rowena, but it was too little too late. The women on Supernatural were often limited to supporting roles as lovers or mothers.
If they didn't fit into those roles, they were allowed to have a little more personality, like Charlie and Sheriff Jody. However, even these exceptions usually ended up dead. Despite having a massive fanbase and multiple attempted spin-offs, Supernatural struggled to develop significant female characters. The mistreatment of its female characters will be one of the show's most remembered flaws.