Back in 2005, when the WB (before becoming the CW) rolled out its usual suspects of new shows, I kept my eyes peeled for any that looked like they might stand out from the rest. There were only a couple, but one in particular seemed like it might have the makings of something good. "Supernatural" was sold as being an occult thriller and the previews offered promise. My one worry was that the series would be one of those 'hip & cool' shows that feature models instead of actors in order to attract the still burgeoning MTV crowd. Most of the ads featured stars Jason Paledecki and Jensen (Jenson???) Ackles who, at first glance, seem as though they fit into that exact category. However, my wife and I decided we'd give the show a try in the hopes that it would exceed our expectations. That's where the magic of having satellite TV comes in handy as we could 'record' the show and watch it whenever we felt like it. (Yes, I realize we used to be able to do that with VCR's, but who has those anymore?)

Anyhow, we ended up being totally sucked in by the first episode and continued to enjoy the show as the season carried forward. Both Ackles and Paledecki proved to be decent actors, but it was the show's stories and style that really 'hooked' us.

As the series began we were introduced to the Winchester brothers, Sam (Paledecki) who is whiling away his hours at college and Dean (Ackles) who prefers to follow in their father's footsteps. Of course the job is a rather odd one, in that Dean crosses the country in search of supernatural events on order to a) fight demons and send them back to Hell and b) track down the demon that killed their mother when they were children. Sam had chosen to leave this life behind, but is drawn into the never-ending battle by Dean after their father goes missing. Reluctant at first, Sam's resolve is set after a tragedy that mirrors his mother's demise strikes his new life. Together, the two brothers set off in '67 Chevy Impala (that my wife loves) in search of their father.

In many ways "Supernatural" both lived up to and exceeded my expectations. There was a bit of the 'hip & cool' feel to it, but it did not pervade the series. As a matter of fact, as that first season wore on, that style seemed to drop off a bit. What we really liked about the show was the idea it used that each of the 'demons' they fought were linked to popular urban myths. One week would find them fighting off the 'Hook Man', while another brought them face to face with the mysterious 'Lady in White' who stalks the streets late at night looking for a ride home. They even did an episode about 'Bloody Mary', which I thought was especially effective.

Of course, as the season hit us with 22 episodes, I cannot say that every one of them hit a home run, but the great majority of them were excellent. One that stands out as particularly frustrating was "Bugs", where the boys set up shop in a new housing development plagued by strange murderous… well… bugs. Truth be told, the episode as a whole was actually still pretty good, but when it is learned that the bugs only attack at night it falls apart. When Winchesters find themselves holed up in one of the house fending off the horde, the 'night' only appears to last about 15 minutes. As the sun sets, the bugs start coming and our heroes keep finding new places in the house to hide. But the bugs get through each door pretty quickly. When they finally make it to the attic and you think they are just about to die… the sun starts to rise. There's no way the sequence of events, no matter how they were edited, could have taken place over several hours. That ending pretty much ruined an otherwise good episode. But, if that's the only complaint I have over a full season, that's saying something.

The second season continued to focus on some great urban myths, but they did not completely take over the show. This season brought in a more cohesive story arc, which brought the boys face to face with their long-lost father… as well as his fate. This caused a big rift in their relationship, which could not have come at a worse time. The boys not only catch up with the demon that killed their mother, but the outcome of the confrontation causes Sam to question his place in the wart against evil. Again, almost every episode was a winner, but my favorite had to be "Hollywood Babylon", which featured Gary Cole as a smarmy producer. His performance makes the entire episode worth watching. I was also very impressed with the episode "Bloodlust", which featured Amber Benson as (of all things) a vampire. This was an especially interesting episode in that it dealt with the idea of whether or not all things supernatural are necessarily evil. But the cream of the crop had to be "No Exit", which brought the boys into a battle with the spirit of H.H. Holmes. Holmes was known as America's first serial killer and was featured in the superlative documentary “H.H. Holmes: America’s First Serial Killer" by John Borowski. You can catch my review of that DVD here. I recommend it as a great film to watch before checking out this particular episode.

About this time, I wondered if the series could continue if it stayed on its path. The third season hinted at some changes and of ‘bigger’ things. But it wasn’t until the fourth season that bigger things meant an out and out Apocalypse. Sam & Dean were not only going to be fighting demons, but were coming face to face with angels. I know, this sounds silly, but the direction the fourth season was anything but. There was a war brewing between the forces of good and evil and the boys were going to be front and center. This was never more certain until the final moments when Sam’s actions bring forth Lucifer and kick start the end of the world.

The fifth season of “Supernatural” just hit store shelves, and I couldn’t wait to dig in once my copy arrived. As opposed to thinking the show had gone too far, I was suckered right into it thanks to the excellent writing and cinematography. The story arc, which pets the brothers up as being the ‘vessels’ for Lucifer and the archangel Michael to inhabit in order to wage their battle never once let me down. Every plot point thrown into the mix, no matter how far-fetched, worked perfectly into the show’s grand design. I honestly did not feel let down by a single episode.

What I enjoy most about “Supernatural” is how well it is able to balance drama with humor. It often goes ‘over the top’ in either direction but always satisfies and ‘feels right.’ There is even a line thrown out this season, “It’s not jumping the shark if you never come back down” that perfectly sums up the series. It is a very self-effacing show, often making fun of itself. Even going so far as to place the brothers right in the middle of a convention celebrating the ’fictional’ books that are being written about them makes for a brilliant episode.

The most interesting thing about this season however, is that it ended on a perfect note. Not cliff-hanger per se, but what could be perceived as an actual ending to the series. And it was perfect. If there were to be no sixth season, I could have accepted it where it stood. No need to go any further, just leave where it lay. Yet, there is going to be another season, so I am glad there will be more stories and great episodes, I just cannot imagine where it can go from here and feel anything more than anti-climactic.

The Bluray release of season five offers excellent transfers, which really sell the show’s special effects. There is also a deleted scene from the ‘convention’ episode as well as commentary on “The End”, which oddly enough is not the final episode… There are also webisodes of “Ghostfacers” which make great fun of the whole ‘ghost investigator’ genre, and an ‘Apocalypse survival guide’ (which features the excellent Jim Beaver!)

“Supernatural” is a terrific show. Bottom line…. If you don’t like it… your I.Q. is just a little too low.

Episodes:
Sympathy for the Devil
Good God, Ya’ll
Free to Be You and Me
The End
Fallen Idols
I Believe the Children Are Our Future
The Curious Case of Dean Winchester
Changing Channels
The Real Ghostbusters
Abandon all Hope
Sam, Interrupted
Swap Meat
The Song Remains the Same
My Bloody Valentine
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid
Dark Side of the Moon
99 Problems
Point of No Return
Hammer of the Gods
The Devil You Know
Two Minutes to Midnight
Swan Song

Starring: Jason Paledecki, Jensen Ackles
Extras: Supernatural Apocalypse Survival Guides; Ghostfacers; Commentary on the Episode “The End”; Deleted Scene; Gag Reel
Specifications: 1080p High Definition (1.78:1); Dolby Digital 5.1
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: 9/7/2010
MPAA Rating: NR
http://www.supernaturaltv.com
http://www.wbtvondvd.com

We'll give Supernatural: Season 5 (Bluray) an A.