Supternatural: The Complete First Season Review

The Case

I was on the lookout for new shows last season, and Supernatural topped my list of possible series to check out.  It aired on the WB network originally - now it's on the CW - and I'm usually leery of WB shows, but it looked fun, so I gave it a try.  From the start of the pilot, I was hooked.  I watched the entire first season without missing an episode, and when it came out on DVD, I was first in line.  I can't wait for the release of season two!  Supernatural has become a definite favorite!

The Good

If you're not watching it now, you can start anytime!  The best thing about the show is that even though there are a few season long arcs and plotlines, the majority of the stories are episodic, very much like the X-Files was.  There's a new adventure with a beginning, a middle, and an end each week - it's easy to tune in without any knowledge or history of the previous developments.

The Premise - In 1983, the Winchester family suffered a terrible tragedy - a tragedy that stemmed from supernatural causes.  Now, some 22 years later, estranged brothers Sam and Dean Winchester must team up in order to track down their missing father.  He was on a hunting trip, and now he's missing.  But John Winchester wasn't hunting bear.  Or deer.  Or anything furry.  John Winchester was hunting the supernatural.  And hunting the supernatural is what all of the Winchester men do best.  You might say it's the family business.

As Sam and Dean embark on their journey, you can bet that finding dear old dad isn't going to be a walk in the park.  Along the way, the brothers encounter horrors too unimagineable to believe, horrors that nobody but themselves are able to deal with.  As they get closer and closer to the truth, and as the clues to their father's whereabouts come together, they realize that the stakes are much higher and more personal than they ever thought possible.

Why It's A Hit - Supernatural isn't just suspenseful - it's truly scary.  The only show I can think to compare it to is The X-Files, and even that isn't spot on.  The X-Files was very intellectual, and it had Scully, who kept every investigation grounded with her science and her skepticism.  In Supernatural, none of the main characters are skeptics.  They all know better.  The show feels younger and hipper, too.  Instead of aliens and conspiracies, most of the episodes are based on urban legends.  The hookman, the hitchhiking ghost, Bloody Mary, and haunted paintings are all covered in Supernatural, along with lots of other fun takes on campfire tales and ghost stories.  The action is fast-paced, the tension is great, and the scares are present every week.

Lead actors Jensen Ackles (Dark Angel, Smallville) and Jared Padalecki (Gilmore Girls, House Of Wax) play Dean and Sam, and both give amazing and consistent performances, and have a natural chemistry on top of that.  You truly believe that they're brothers, and not the lovey-dovey kind either.  They fight, they bicker, they play practical jokes.  They're a joy to watch, which is good since the story is essentially one long road trip (in a very sweet car, I might add), and the two actors are really the only permanent cast members on the show.  That's a pretty heavy burden, but they not only manage it, they succeed with flying colors.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that their characters are so cool either. 

The Winchesters are blue-collar boys, used to working and getting their hands dirty.  You won't find them in suits (unless they're in disguise) - they prefer to live in jeans and t-shirts.  Both are independent, scruffy, and always up for a fight.  Definitely not into sharing feelings and stuff.  As Dean says, there will be "no chick flick moments."  The music sets the tone for that, too.  If you watch Supernatural, you're gonna be hearing some good, old-fashioned rock 'n' roll, eighties style, or, in Sam's words, "the best of mullet-rock."  The show's soundtrack is awesome, and perfect for the stories and the characters!

The DVDs - The six-disc set includes all 22 episodes from season one.  In addition, there are two commentaries - both of which are pretty good, numerous deleted scenes, a stills gallery, a couple of featurettes, and a gag reel.  The featurettes are entitled "Supernatural: Tales From The Edge Of The Darkness" and "A Day In The Life Of Jared And Jensen."  They're worth watching, and the gag reel is very fun and entertaining, too.  Also, as of now, I've found two easter eggs* on the DVDs, one showing alternate title sequences for the show and the other a heartfelt thank you to the fans from series creator, Eric Kripke.  These are the only easter eggs I've discovered, though, so if anyone else has any, let me know!

The Bad

In my opinion, there's not much.  If you don't like scary fare, I don't want to discourage you - because there's a lot more to this show than just making you jump - but it WILL make you jump.  Be ready for that!  Also, certain people will simply find this show offensive.  If you have strong feelings on spiritual or supernatural things, you may want to skip it.  My grandmother's term for Supernatural was 'evil,' if that gives you any indication as to what I'm talking about!

The Verdict

Five stars!  Supernatural thrills, chills, and entertains with the best of them!

* To access the easter eggs, go to the Special Features menu on the sixth disc.  Toggle down to 'Day In The Life Of Jared And Jensen.'  The window in the house will light up.  click right on your remote to select it and view the thank you from Kripke.  To see the alternate title sequences, go down to the 'Stills Gallery.'  When that's highlighted, Jensen Ackles' eyes will glow yellow.  Toggle left to view the easter egg.