Since not every "Supernatural" episode can be centered around the season's chosen mythology, it would be nice if every self-contained episode could be like "Freaks and Geeks," which paid homage to the series' history while still providing fans with the satisfying character beats we tune in for every week.
After an agonizing three-week absence, "Supernatural" returned with "Goodbye Stranger," which turned out to be one of the best episodes of Season 8 to date. Written by Robbie Thompson and directed by Thomas J. Wright, "Stranger" was well-paced, crammed with memorable lines, and showcased some delicious character interplay.