My husband and I are just now finishing the first season of the hit show Supernatural, so we’re pretty behind as far as present-day episodes go. So I can’t really speak in favor of the rest of the seasons. But I know that we are pretty obsessed with this series, even though I’m always the first person to say that television rots your brain—and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys supernatural, scary media. Here are 10 reasons why.

10. It’s Scary

While not every episode is pee-your-pants scary, there have been plenty of episodes that make you jump. I screamed in surprise for the first time the other night watching one episode, and there are a couple of them that have still lingered with me even weeks after watching them.

9. It’s Short

If you don’t have the time (or patience) for a modern horror movie or for sitting in the theater, these little 45-minute forays into the otherworldly are the perfect satisfying treat.

8. It’s Original

I haven’t seen something like this on television since the X-Files, and this is still quite different from that.

7. It’s Got Decent Special Effects

Hell, it’s got great special effects in some episodes!

6. Sam and Dean

They’re cute, they care, they’re pretty badass, and they’re not your typical guys for the most part. After all, they slay evil things to keep everyone safe. Sure, Dean’s a bit of a player, but otherwise I’d trust these two to housesit for sure.

5. Jeffrey Dean Morgan

I will so watch anything with him in it, especially after his whole Irish brogue thing in PS I Love You.

4. It’s Not Too Gory

Sure, there are a few episodes with quite a bit of blood, but most of them go the classic scary route, which is my favorite—with actual suspense instead of gore. Gore is gratuitous for many people, and it’s refreshing to see something be so scary without it.

3. It’s Free

Or nearly so, since it’s on regular television, or streamed online for those who can do that.

2. The Music and the Car

‘Nuff said.

1. It’s Rooted in Truth

Well, not truth so much as legend, but for storytellers, that’s real stuff, right? Legends not just unique to America but from all over the globe are included in the episodes, and if you love mythology and legends, you just can’t wait to see which one will be covered next—or to guess who is the evil thing or what might happen. Plus, Supernatural is scarier than any urban legend movie (including the Urban Legend series) that I've ever seen.