Supernatural

[Kurosawa Fan]

I decided to make a thread for this show because I'm starting it up from the beginning. I'll be working from home for the foreseeable future, and while I'm working I've decided to have this going at the same time.

I'm five episodes in, and while it's heavily flawed, I'm having fun. It's a nice mix of funny and creepy. The dialogue is way too expository and the show is really oddly repetitive. It's not just the monster-of-the-week repetition, but the details within each story, such as the fake id that gets them access only to get them caught later, and the attractive female that gives Dean a kiss before the credits roll after he and Sam save the day, etc. I'm hoping this stuff works itself out as the show picks up steam. I can only assume it does considering the praise being given to the latter seasons.

[number8]

Oh good, cause I should probably stop clogging the TV thread with my posts.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Oh good, cause I should probably stop clogging the TV thread with my posts.

Was it you that said the show is just littered with beautiful people? Because, obviously, that is spot on. Every episode has at least one ridiculously attractive actor filling a one-time role.

Also, the familiar faces have been fun. The pilot had Tyra from FNL, the second episode had the QB from Glee, and the fourth had Tess from Eureka.

[Raiders]

Hey, me too! Just watched the pilot yesterday. I'm kinda excited. I have been meaning to watch some of this for years.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Hah! I watched the pilot over the weekend. Those two leads have a great chemistry together, and the show carries over a lot of X-Files style thanks to producers John Shiban and Kim Manners.

[number8]

Why, hello, fellow noobs. I'm almost halfway through Season 4. Do catch up.

[number8]

If only so you get to see the context of this video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Fz_egtEgc)

[Watashi]

I watched this show before it was cool.

[Fezzik]

I just added this to NetFlix instant on the recommendation of friends. I am going to start on this sometime this week, so thanks for starting the thread, KF!

[Mara]

I watched this show before it was cool.

I watched it before that, and Amberlita watched it EVEN BEFORE THAT.

I think its sudden popularity on the boards is amusing, actually. I said in a thread a few years ago that it was secretly one of the best shows on television, and I believe I was poo-poo'd.

[ledfloyd]

I think its sudden popularity on the boards is amusing, actually.
the power of netflix instant.

[Ezee E]

What channel is it on ?

[Kurosawa Fan]

What channel is it on ?

CW

[Mara]

If only so you get to see the context of this video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Fz_egtEgc)

Off the top of my head, the funniest scenes in the entire series involve an 8 foot teddy bear attempting suicide, and an alien slow-dancing with an obnoxious college kid to "Lady in Red."

I mean... that's kind of the show in a nutshell.

[number8]

Off the top of my head, the funniest scenes in the entire series involve an 8 foot teddy bear attempting suicide, and an alien slow-dancing with an obnoxious college kid to "Lady in Red."

I mean... that's kind of the show in a nutshell.

YES. Holy shit that was hysterical. But I laughed even harder at the exchange between Dracula and the pizza delivery guy.

"Isss zere... Garlic, on ze peetza?"
"I don't know, did you order it with garlic?"
"NO."
"Look, buddy, I have three more deliveries tonight. Can you just give me the money so I can go?"
"Of course! Vut I have... a coupon."

[number8]

I'm starting to think this show has more torture scenes than 24.

[Scar]

I'm somewhere in Season 2 and am enjoying the Hell out of it.

I started watching it when I saw a Teefury shirt that I liked. Figured I had to start watching the show to see whether or not I should get the shirt.

http://www.teefury.com/products_large_images/1323293223_BOTTOM__12205h58m22 .jpg

[MadMan]

Back when it first started airing on CW, I began watching the show, then lost interest. Since its available on Netflix IV I might give the show another chance. Also so I can find out why in one episode (which I saw a clip of thanks to The Soup) a guy gets killed by a unicorn. Hilarious and awesome.

[number8]

I said in a thread a few years ago that it was secretly one of the best shows on television, and I believe I was poo-poo'd.

I'm in the middle of Season 5 now, and I'm absolutely boggled how this show has stayed so under the radar with most people. It's like a cabal of fangirls have found the fountain of youth and hid it in plain sight, like some sort of Tumblr pond.

[number8]

"It's kinda funny talking to [spoiler] on a cell phone. Like watching a Hell's Angel ride around in a moped."
"This isn't funny, Dean! The voice tells me I'm almost out of minutes!"

:lol:

[Kurosawa Fan]

Well, this first season is really mediocre, and that might have something to do with it. It's getting kind of tiresome, because the flaws I mentioned before are sticking around, but not only that, the show's "influences" are turning into borderline plagiarism. The poltergeist episode was a pretty egregious offender, but really, it's been happening all season. The show is riding the coattails of other shows and films' successes without adding much of its own. I'm going to push on because it's easily digestible while I'm working and so many people rave about seasons 3-4-5, but I'm ready for improvement, and I can fully understand why anyone would have given up early on.

[number8]

I think the problem with the first season is that there's not much of an arc. They just go through the episodic shit with just a general goal of "find Dad." Starting with Season 2, there's more of a piece-by-piece progression, where each episode devotes as much time solving the weekly monster as it is building the great seasonal storylines. And yeah, seasons 3-4-5 is when they got really ambitious by building one huge storyline told in 3 "acts."

[Kurosawa Fan]

I think the problem with the first season is that there's not much of an arc. They just go through the episodic shit with just a general goal of "find Dad." Starting with Season 2, there's more of a piece-by-piece progression, where each episode devotes as much time solving the weekly monster as it is building the great seasonal storylines. And yeah, seasons 3-4-5 is when they got really ambitious by building one huge storyline told in 3 "acts."

This is also a problem. We were genuinely surprised when we hit "Home" because it actually progressed a continual storyline. The episode still failed to impress, but at least it was more than just a monster-of-the-week filler.

[Kurosawa Fan]

My apathy for the show can best be seen in how little I'm involved in this thread. When I started on Buffy, I was posting brief thoughts on a per episode basis. With this one, I find I have nothing much to say. I can't wait for that to change.

[Mara]

Well, this first season is really mediocre, and that might have something to do with it.

I maintain that if number8 made it through the dumb stuff in Supernatural, he could totally make it through the bad first-season-and-change of BtVS.

Not to knock Supernatural-- I totally enjoy it-- but the pay-offs are never quite as great. And it is certainly, as you mentioned, deeply influenced by both BtVS and The X-Files.

By the way, 8, you have now met my favorite character in the show, and one of my favorites of all time. "This isn't funny, Dean." He and Dean have mad chemistry, too.

[Biff Justice]

I watched the first 3 seasons of this a couple years back, and obviously, it didn't thrill me enough to continue past that. I'm giving it another shot since it's on Netflix streaming.

It's not a bad show, not at all, but its missing some "X-factor" that makes it truly gripping for me. I think my major gripe is that, throughout what I've seen anyway, there are only two major characters and those characters never really change. Their situation does from time to time, of course, but they never really seem to develop or grow and that's the major selling point to me when investing in a long term serial show like this.

[Raiders]

Yeah, mostly done S1 and it is indeed mediocre for the reasons KF stated. But hardly any more mediocre than the first seasons of Buffy (actually better and more consistent I'd say) or even, for the most part, X-Files. I see no reason to slow down now.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I've gotten through the first three episodes of Season One (a slow viewer, I am), and I don't know if I'll be able to continue.

See, the show's about this pair of slightly mismatched guys who travel across the country in a beat-up car and solve mysteries in small towns and make friends briefly all while searching for a disappeared family member.

This is the plot to short-lived eighties series The Master, starring Lee Van Cleef and Timothy Van Patten. It was later riffed by the MST3K crew.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ynpXE4BgpGE/Scw29JJmC5I/AAAAAAAAJtE/dVFXaQC3Xpw/s400/322-master_ninja_1x-ad.jpg

Obviously it's just a pattern, and I should move past it, but during the past two episodes, I kept wanting to say, "Hi, I'm Max Keller" and "Hi-keeba!"

http://www.dvdverdict.com/images/reviewpics/mst3kxx02.jpg

[Kurosawa Fan]

One of the best MST3K episodes I've ever seen.

[Dead & Messed Up]

One of the best MST3K episodes I've ever seen.

It has one of my favorite comments from the show ever:

Master: "After the war, I lived in Japan. Something about the tranquility of it."
Joel: "The tranquility of post-war Japan?"

[Scar]

I've gotten through the first three episodes of Season One (a slow viewer, I am), and I don't know if I'll be able to continue.

See, the show's about this pair of slightly mismatched guys who travel across the country in a beat-up car and solve mysteries in small towns and make friends briefly all while searching for a disappeared family member.

This is the plot to short-lived eighties series The Master, starring Lee Van Cleef and Timothy Van Patten. It was later riffed by the MST3K crew.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ynpXE4BgpGE/Scw29JJmC5I/AAAAAAAAJtE/dVFXaQC3Xpw/s400/322-master_ninja_1x-ad.jpg

Obviously it's just a pattern, and I should move past it, but during the past two episodes, I kept wanting to say, "Hi, I'm Max Keller" and "Hi-keeba!"

http://www.dvdverdict.com/images/reviewpics/mst3kxx02.jpg

Beat up car?

Really?

[Raiders]

Yeah, Dean's car deserves more respect than that.

[number8]

I don't know anything about cars, and I do not want to own one, but a '67 Impala is totally something I'd take in a heartbeat.

[number8]

Also, something I initially found very annoying but I've warmed up to is Dean's recurring catchphrase "____ is fiction/a TV show/a movie. This is real life." I think he's said that about X-Files on like 3 separate occasions.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Yeah, Dean's car deserves more respect than that.


I don't know anything about cars, and I do not want to own one, but a '67 Impala is totally something I'd take in a heartbeat.


Beat up car?

Really?

Their car looks old and worn. I did not mean to offend anybody. I'm not a car guy. I own a Honda Civic because that means I won't have to think about cars for five or six years.

[number8]

Just got to the episode where Paris Hilton guest stars. This is strangely amazing.

[Scar]

Their car looks old and worn. I did not mean to offend anybody. I'm not a car guy. I own a Honda Civic because that means I won't have to think about cars for five or six years.

No, no it doesn't. Not by a long shot. After the first season finale, sure, but its right back to being shiny and awesome in season 2.

[Dead & Messed Up]

No, no it doesn't. Not by a long shot. After the first season finale, sure, but its right back to being shiny and awesome in season 2.

Ok. Thanks for setting me straight.

[number8]

"Changing Channels."

Just yes.

[Mara]

"Changing Channels."

Just yes.

Yes.

[amberlita]

YES!

Told ya.


No matter how funny that episode is, the part that gets me most...

is the painfully provocative questions asked of the boys in the Japanese TV show. "Dean Winchester: Would your parents still be alive if your brother was never born?"

Ouch.

Oh, but...um....

I've got genital herpes.

[number8]

He actually did! In the episode right before it!

[number8]

I think I just saw the most disturbing death on the show. "My Bloody Valentine" episode.

[Mara]

I've been rewatching this show during my morning work-outs and crocheting binges, and I think the first season is both better and worse than I remembered. There are strong hints of the things that make the series great, but there are also episodes like the one about the racist truck.

Seriously. That episode is so bad. For one thing, it's supposed to indicate a serious romantic attachment for Dean, but she is never mentioned again, even though he promises that they're going to work things out. Also, there's A RACIST TRUCK.

Side note: I love watching things with captions on, but my DVDs don't have English captions, so I've been watching them in French, which is surprisingly fun. It makes me reflect on the extremely informal ways our boys talk (leaving off subjects, prepositions, contracting everywhere) because the translations have a tough time with that.

Dean: Shouldn'ta botched that.

French Dean: You ought not to have failed that task.

I'm also learning some interesting rude French phrases.

[Mara]

Also, I know several people have mentioned how attractive everyone is on this show-- and that's true-- but none of you have braved the extremely important question of the hottest Winchester.









I'll help you out. It's Dean. He's the hottest character until season 4.

TEAM CAS!

[Kurosawa Fan]

I've been rewatching this show during my morning work-outs and crocheting binges, and I think the first season is both better and worse than I remembered. There are strong hints of the things that make the series great, but there are also episodes like the one about the racist truck.

Seriously. That episode is so bad. For one thing, it's supposed to indicate a serious romantic attachment for Dean, but she is never mentioned again, even though he promises that they're going to work things out. Also, there's A RACIST TRUCK.

:lol:

Val and I watched this one last night. TERRIBLE. Although, I think the show constantly overestimates the connections between Sam and Dean and the one-ep characters they encounter in these towns. Dean's old flame was no exception.

[Mara]

It reminds me of "Beer Bad" in the worst ways.

"We're going to discuss an important social problem! Except we're not, really, because instead of couching it in a clever supernatural metaphor, we're going to just make it look silly, and blanket the whole thing with undeserved self-righteousness and emotional dishonesty."

[number8]

I just finished Season 5 last night. Some stray (non-spoilery, I hope) thoughts.

- This is officially the most violent TV show I've ever watched, quota-wise. The gore is unrelenting (Kali's dinner was gross), some of it gets really disturbing even in concept (the lovers who eat each other to death during sex), and in the zombie episode, there's like 40 on-screen shotgun headshots. In one episode. Puts Walking Dead to shame, and they're on cable!

- I know you guys talk about the X-Files and Buffy influences, but this season got pretty Gaiman-y. Somebody's been reading Sandman/Lucifer/American Gods, for sure.

- It never truly got there, but some episodes really tried to snipe at BSG's throne at uncomfortable moral questions during wartime, as well as LOST's emotional arcs. I can see why Mara would call this TV's best kept secret. This is a level of depth that's absent from the first two seasons.

- "You've reached the voicemail of 'I don't understand, why would I tell you my name?'"

- "HEY, ASSBUTT!"

- So this was Eric Kripke's last season, huh? I read that he only ever meant it to be 5 seasons but CW insisted on renewing for a 6th, so he wrapped up his mythology and then bailed as a showrunner. I started the first episode of Season 6, and... it's not as compelling. Is the consensus is that it's downhill from there?

[Mara]

- "HEY, ASSBUTT!"

Possibly one of my all-time favorite television lines. In two words, it climaxes two seasons of character development, HILARIOUSLY.


- So this was Eric Kripke's last season, huh? I read that he only ever meant it to be 5 seasons but CW insisted on renewing for a 6th, so he wrapped up his mythology and then bailed as a showrunner. I started the first episode of Season 6, and... it's not as compelling. Is the consensus is that it's downhill from there?

I got so fed up in season 6 that I stopped watching halfway through, because I was hurt and disappointed with the drop-off in quality.

I have been assured by other fans that I'm overreacting and that there's still good stuff. (Amber has said this, for one.) When I finish my run-through I'm going to try and make it all the way through season 7 if I can.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Has this show reached its conclusion?

[number8]

Possibly one of my all-time favorite television lines. In two words, it climaxes two seasons of character development, HILARIOUSLY.

"Did you just holy water molotoved my brother?"
"Uhh... No?"
*snap*
*KABOOM*

I shrieked so loud.

[number8]

Has this show reached its conclusion?

You mean has it ended? No, it's in the middle of S7 right now. New episodes are on Hulu.

[Kurosawa Fan]

You mean has it ended? No, it's in the middle of S7 right now. New episodes are on Hulu.

Right, my mistake. I meant to ask if season seven is the final season. Or, have they decided on an end date?

[Mara]

Right, my mistake. I meant to ask if season seven is the final season. Or, have they decided on an end date?

I believe it has neither been cancelled nor renewed. We'll see what happens.

[number8]

I'm really glad I started watching this show.

[number8]

Town to town, two-lane roads. Family biz, two hunting bros. Living the lie, just to get byyyyy. As long as we're movin' forward, there's nothing we can't do. Togeeether, we'll face the daaaay! You and I won't run awayyyy. When the demons come out tooo plaaaaayy. Togeeether, we'll face the daaay!

[number8]

I've been singing that song for days.

[Mara]

Town to town, two-lane roads. Family biz, two hunting bros. Living the lie, just to get byyyyy. As long as we're movin' forward, there's nothing we can't do. Togeeether, we'll face the daaaay! You and I won't run awayyyy. When the demons come out tooo plaaaaayy. Togeeether, we'll face the daaay!

It's been a year or two since I've seen this, but I could still song along in my head. Holy crap, that's catchy.

[Mara]

I'm actually gonna post it, since it doesn't spoiler anything about that episode, and it's HYSTERICAL.

9n3SL0B5zH4

[number8]

I was thinking about the Neil Gaiman influences I mentioned, and I realized that the whole absentee deadbeat God abandoning his throne thing is taken directly from Preacher, which reminds me that Garth Ennis' other series Hitman also had a special demon-killing rifle forged in the Old West that becomes an important plot point, called... the Ace of Winchesters. Then I read an interview with Misha Collins who said that Eric Kripke based Castiel's wardrobe on John Constantine. I guess Kripke's a pretty big comic fan, apparently. Probably should not have been surprised by that, come to think of it.

[number8]

I really want to talk about season 5, but here I'm ahead of most of you and everywhere else I'm two seasons behind.

Sigh.

[amberlita]

I assure you there is still plenty to enjoy, but yes it goes downhill after Season 5. Some of the writing in each episode is actually a bit tighter and the dialogue a little snappier, but the lack of a clear story arc and is what hampers it the most. Just feels like there is very little purpose in the overall. The last two seasons have, however, begun to remedy my biggest beef with Seasons 3-5 which was the ever-widening emotional gap they created between Sam and Dean. That period of show-time still hurts me to watch.

[Mara]

The last two seasons have, however, begun to remedy my biggest beef with Seasons 3-5 which was the ever-widening emotional gap they created between Sam and Dean. That period of show-time still hurts me to watch.

I'm glad to hear that. It hurts my insides when the boys fight.

Amber & I can talk about season 5, you just have to spoiler it.

[number8]

Well, apologies beforehand for the blocks, KF/Scar/DaMU, etc...

I find it interesting that this season features two time-travel episodes, and they are both very good. The future episode is one of those devices that a lot of genre shows like to use but are often bad with it. Even LOST had some troubles with following through their flash forward clues. I'm actually impressed at how Supernatural handled it, where it's put at the beginning of the season and then spend the rest making it seem like it's all coming true (Cass turning human, Croatoan virus spreading, Detroit, Michael not caring about Dean anymore) only to subvert it all in the finale.

[Mara]

Now I just want to skip ahead to season 5 to re-experience the awesome.

Although, glancing through the season 2 episode list, I'd forgotten how many favorites are in there. So I'll continue chronologically.

[number8]

Just watched the season 6 vampire episode where Edward and Bella show up. Heh.

[Raiders]

After a little break I have started diving into Season 2. Already finding it a little more assured. Just finished "Crossroad Blues" which should have been terribly cheesy what with actual "hell hounds" but actually, it was pretty damn astute. Loved the tribute to Robert Johnson. The final mental showdown between the demon and Dean was very resonant as well.

I was scrolling through some online articles of the show and caught recent photos. Padalecki's hair looks ridiculous now apparently.

[Scar]

I'm trying to watch Season 3, but Netflix is pissing me off with the audio not synching properly.

So, hopefully in a day or two, I'll have, uh, acquired Season 3, and be able to resume lag free.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I'm trying to watch Season 3, but Netflix is pissing me off with the audio not synching properly.

So, hopefully in a day or two, I'll have, uh, acquired Season 3, and be able to resume lag free.

I had this problem with two episodes of Dr. Who recently. Hasn't occurred with Supernatural yet.

[number8]

Human Nature, right?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Human Nature, right?

Wow. Yep, you were right. It would play fine on my computer, but not on my TV.

[number8]

That episode's been that way for 2 years now. Netflix wouldn't fix it.

[Mara]

I'm moseying through season 3 and enjoying it.

However, I don't like Bela, and I particularly dislike they way they do her make-up.

/petty

[number8]

Nobody liked Bela.

The extremely strong fan hatred was why they killed her off, apparently. She's like the Nikki and Paulo of the show.

[Thirdmango]

there's an episode of cheers that's like that, I made a complaint but they haven't done anything about it.

[Raiders]

"Heart" is probably the first truly great episode so far. That's some well-managed, heartbreaking material at the end there.

[amberlita]

"Heart" is probably the first truly great episode so far. That's some well-managed, heartbreaking material at the end there.

I would disagree that it's the first truly great episode but it's certainly the most emotionally effective since the start of the series.

Season 2 is my favorite season, even though it has a few dreadful episodes up in there.

[Mara]

This weekend I encountered the first episode that I apparently find heartbreaking, and it was season 3's "Mystery Spot." That is some dark, dark stuff.

My rewatch will confirm, but I think season 5 was my favorite.

[Scar]

This weekend I encountered the first episode that I apparently find heartbreaking, and it was season 3's "Mystery Spot." That is some dark, dark stuff.

My rewatch will confirm, but I think season 5 was my favorite.

Just watched that last night:

The first half I found hilarious, and the second half was nice and dark. Overall, really enjoyed it.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I'm watching "Nightmare" right now, and the man in Sam's premonition (Jim Miller) lives in Saginaw, Michigan. Poor Jim Miller. :sad:

[Kurosawa Fan]

This episode is going to be fun to pick apart! Right off the bat, Michigan State Police don't drive vehicles with the American flag painted across the side.

[Mara]

The constant efforts to make sets look like not-Canada are kind of an amusing crapshoot.

There sure are a lot of trees in "Kansas."

One of my favorite things to do, though, is to watch how they reuse sets for cheap motel rooms. It's obviously the same modified sets over and over again, but designed by crazy drunk people.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Well, Jim Miller's son looks like someone straight out of Saginaw, I'll give them that.

[number8]

They made a pretty great joke in the Hollywood episode.

Dean: Man! California weather is a lot chillier than I expected!
Sam: Yeah, it's practically... Canadian.

[number8]

One of my favorite things to do, though, is to watch how they reuse sets for cheap motel rooms. It's obviously the same modified sets over and over again, but designed by crazy drunk people.

Yeah, it's almost like a running joke. They keep going to different cities and end up in the exact same motel room. What's baffling is that they could've gotten away with it if they just used a really generic-looking motel room, but no, they have to reuse that motel room with the hellish wallpaper and the extremely distinct room divider.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Okay, I wasn't going to nitpick (Saginaw has no hills, there is no Saginaw Manor, there is no apartment building in Saginaw, or even more than two or three buildings total, with eleven floors or more), but since you guys brought up the motel issue, the motel in this one says "Escanaba Motel." It's a cabin style motel. One problem: Escanaba is SIX HOURS from Saginaw by car. Probably more. Seriously, show? I mean, this is basic geography. Couldn't you just look at a map before deciding where to set this episode?

[number8]

Yeah, well, according to Jackie Chan, there are mountains in Bronx, so...

[number8]

Oh my god, the X-Files opening credits parody. I fucking love it when they do this.

http://images.buddytv.com/articles/spn-intro-xfiles.jpg

[number8]

HOLY SHIT ROBERT ENGLUND.

[number8]

Oh my god. Mara, how far did you get on season 6? Did you see the episode where they got transported to our world?

"Apparently in this world, our life is a TV show."
"Well, that's crazy. Who'd want to watch our lives?"
"Apparently not many people do. According to the interviewer, your name is Jensen Ackles and I'm something called Jared Pa-de-le-key."

[Mara]

Oh my god. Mara, how far did you get on season 6? Did you see the episode where they got transported to our world?

"Apparently in this world, our life is a TV show."
"Well, that's crazy. Who'd want to watch our lives?"
"Apparently not many people do. According to the interviewer, your name is Jensen Ackles and I'm something called Jared Pa-de-le-key."

I made an exception to watch that episode, since the premise interested me. Parts of it were great, but I still felt like it was trying a little too hard. Mischa's tweets were hilarious.

[number8]

That sums up this season, really. It's fun, but quite obviously desperate. They bring back so many popular side characters, do gimmick episodes, etc. I think there's like 3-4 alternate dimensions/time travel episodes going on. I mean, they went to the Old West.

[Thirdmango]

is it because they finished their intended story at season 5 and now have nowhere to go? So they just do gimmicky stuff.

[number8]

The inconsistency in what Dean knows and doesn't know from episode to episode bugs me sometimes. One episode he doesn't know what Myspace is, then the next he's making Facebook jokes. Several episodes establish him as having an encyclopedic knowledge of horror movies, then in this episode I'm watching he's never heard of H.P. Lovecraft because he's "too busy having sex with women."

[Kurosawa Fan]

This show really does a poor job with the family drama in the first season. Their emotions and motivations are so inconsistent it's laughable. One minute Sam is understanding of his dad's position, the next he's erupting in violent emotion. The same goes for their dad, who the writers don't seem to know how to handle. I have the finale left, and then it's on to season two. I'm going to press on, but I sure hope this improves, because it's a major complaint for me at this point.

[slqrick]

Anyone watching this current season? I haven't been able to muster up the effort to catch up after the season premiere.

[Raiders]

This show really does a poor job with the family drama in the first season. Their emotions and motivations are so inconsistent it's laughable. One minute Sam is understanding of his dad's position, the next he's erupting in violent emotion. The same goes for their dad, who the writers don't seem to know how to handle. I have the finale left, and then it's on to season two. I'm going to press on, but I sure hope this improves, because it's a major complaint for me at this point.

It does... for one main reason which I won't spoil for you.

I'm halfway through the third season, and this has become immensely enjoyable with the occasional great episode. Really anticipating the fourth and fifth seasons.

[number8]

It does... for one main reason which I won't spoil for you.

:lol: Kinda hard to make a character who's dead inconsistent.

[Kurosawa Fan]

It does... for one main reason which I won't spoil for you.

I'm halfway through the third season, and this has become immensely enjoyable with the occasional great episode. Really anticipating the fourth and fifth seasons.

Well, then I'll say this: it was a very bold and dangerous move to drag this upcoming moment out this long, because if this wasn't so easily available to me, and my circumstances weren't perfect for an easily digestible show, they would have lost me a long time ago.

[Raiders]

Well, then I'll say this: it was a very bold and dangerous move to drag this upcoming moment out this long, because if this wasn't so easily available to me, and my circumstances weren't perfect for an easily digestible show, they would have lost me a long time ago.

Honestly, my advice to anyone new to the show would be to just start from the second episode of the second season.

[number8]

Not sure about Season 7 so far (10 episodes in).

The first time I've ever seen them cop out of a cliffhanger. So disappointing. And the replacement they've got is basically a rehash of the first two season demons. Really?

[number8]

Also, WTF? Why did they stop playing rock songs during the recaps? Worst season ever.

[number8]

Jason Dohring! Man, I've missed him.

[Mara]

Jason Dohring! Man, I've missed him.

He was on Ringer.

But... don't.

[number8]

Is his career stuck on the CW or something?

[Lucky]

He was on Ringer.

But... don't.

Haha, did you watch the finale by chance?

[Mara]

Haha, did you watch the finale by chance?

No. It's tentatively on my to-do list, because... curiosity.

[Lucky]

No. It's tentatively on my to-do list, because... curiosity.

Yeah, I'd say you invested enough time into it to be interested in seeing how it ends. Major things do actually happen.

[Mara]

Am now through "The Monster at the End of This Book." I was actually shrieking with laughter during parts-- this is innovative and risk-taking television. Even Community never got this meta.

Also, kudos on referencing one of the greatest picture books ever (http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Sesame-Street-Birds-Favorites/dp/0375805613/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336141834&sr=8-1) without pooping all over it. (I'm looking at you, BtVS "Where the Wild Things Are.")

[Dead & Messed Up]

I just sped through Season Six in the past week for spec-writing purposes and it was Buffy season six, essentially. 'cept not as good. Anyway, since it's my first real exposure to the series (despite watching the first three episodes a month or so ago), a few thoughts.

Misha Collins is awesome.
Ackles's glower-voice thing gets a little wearying.
It was a huge mistake making Sam soulless for so long. Padalecki's an endearing presence, and making him a dick feels like a tactical error.
Once he gets his soul back, the two have a great sense of camaraderie. This is supposedly the beating heart of the show, and it's easy to see why.
The show's budget causes some serious problems, especially with the way that Cas keeps popping up and saying, "I'm in the middle of a war." I guess we'll have to take his word on that, since there isn't enough money to show it.
On that note, they use him way too often as a get-out-of-jail-free card.
The show does a reasonable job of blending disparate cosmologies by simply never acting like they're disparate. What in the hell is Atropos doing when Death is around? I doan geddit.
That "Mother of All" alpha thing turned out to be a fat load of nothing.
"Clap if You Believe," "The French Mistake," "Frontierland," and "The Man Who Knew Too Much" were all strong episodes.
"And Then There Were None" was shockingly bad. Everyone dies and nobody cares and the worms don't matter so what the hell?

I'll go back and check out more at some point, because this is clearly not the peak of the show, but seriously, very frustrating.

[number8]

Why season six?

[Dead & Messed Up]

Why season six?

Need to find a good place in which to insert the events of a spec script (hence spec-writing purposes). It's for a competish.

[number8]

Did I mention that I'm caught up? Season 7... Eh. Pretty good cliffhanger, though not as good as Season 6's, but I don't know if they can satisfyingly deliver on the promise.

Looks like they fired Sera Gamble off showrunner and Jeremy Carver will be running the show next season. Maybe that'll pump new life into this. The last two seasons have generally been a poor show.

[D_Davis]

I watched 10 episodes of this over the last weekend. Much better than I ever would have thought. I like that it is mostly serious, and somewhat dark. For some reason I imagined it being rather goofy.

The expository dialog is really bad, and it makes me laugh. The writers have absolutely zero confidence in their audience's ability to grasp even the simplest of concepts. It's almost as if the writers have never actually read anything in their lives.

The chemistry between the two brothers is great, and it keeps me interested in their quest.

In general the f/x work is really well done, and it is surprisingly disturbing in parts.

There are many beautiful women in the show.

Looking forward to more, especially the seasons that people think are really good.

[number8]

It's almost as if the writers have never actually read anything in their lives.

Well, not true, since the later seasons borrow very heavily from Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. :lol:

[D_Davis]

Well, not true, since the later seasons borrow very heavily from Neil Gaiman...

Well now that makes sense

[Thirdmango]

watched the first two episodes tonight, it was fun.

[D_Davis]

The Assault on Precinct 13 episode in S3 was great.

[Watashi]

The Assault on Precinct 13 episode in S3 was great.
Nightshifter?

That's one of my favorite episodes.

[number8]

Season 3 already? Now the goin gets good.

[amberlita]

Nightshifter is in Season 2 and one of my favorites as well. But I think Davis is referring to Jus in Bello, when Sam and Dean are arrested by Henrickson only to wind up fighting alongside him, defending the jail from demons.

Season 2 continues to be my favorite season with Crossroad Blues, Nightshifter, Born Under a Bad Sign, Tall Tales, and Heart all being amongst my favorites of the show's entire run. And the final 3 episodes of that season are really emotional for me.

[Irish]

Someone whose opinion I trust recommended this show.

Is it the kind of thing best viewed from the beginning, or is it better to jump forward a bit (a la Buffy, Angel, Fringe, etc)?

[number8]

Jump forward. Season 1 is utter shit. Season 2 is passable entertainment.

Seasons 3-5 are fantastic.

Problem is they're fantastic because they built on things established on those two seasons.

[Scar]

I recall rather enjoying the first two seasons.

[amberlita]

Agreed. If you find it difficult to muddle through mediocre episodes then you should skip Season 1, though I really do endorse the majority of Season 2. Some clunkers in there but not the consistent garbage that is Season 1. Plus, Sammy's hair never looked better than it did that season.

[amberlita]

Might be worth it to watch the very final episode of Season 1 though, to get the bookend of the story that you'll miss. And be prepared to stop watching after Season 5. I continued on and it isn't worth it. The show is bad now. I can't even bring myself to watch the last 3 episodes.

[Scar]

Might be worth it to watch the very final episode of Season 1 though, to get the bookend of the story that you'll miss. And be prepared to stop watching after Season 5. I continued on and it isn't worth it. The show is bad now. I can't even bring myself to watch the last 3 episodes.

I'm hung up in whatever season has the Leviathans.

[Irish]

Cool, thanks!

[amberlita]

I'm hung up in whatever season has the Leviathans.

Season 18

[number8]

I'm actually caught up. It's whatever. I don't get exited for it anymore, but it shows up on Hulu and I just turn it on when I'm doing whatever. Not really interested in all the shit they're building up to, but it's still got plenty of Sam and Dean fighting monster of the week and making with the funny.

Hey remember how fucking awesome seasons 3-5 were?

[amberlita]

Hey remember how fucking awesome seasons 3-5 were?

I do. :sad:

[Thirdmango]

I've watched a bunch of episodes in season 1 in the past couple days. I'm actually enjoying them besides the fact that they are just simple monster of the week stuff. The oddest thing about them though is that almost every episode has one minor character that seems like they might become a recurring character and then I look them up on the wiki and they only appear in that episode. For instances:

http://supernatural.wikia.com/wiki/Jerry_Panowski

http://supernatural.wikia.com/wiki/Rebecca_Warren

http://supernatural.wikia.com/wiki/Missouri_Moseley

Apparently the last one was supposed to show up but she got a scheduling conflict as was replaced with some other character.

[number8]

Sometimes—a lot of times—I think Jensen Ackles is way too good to just be contained on this show. His comic timing is always excellent.

[number8]

Finding out that Dean is really domestic at heart is wonderful.

[Mara]

Finding out that Dean is really domestic at heart is wonderful.

It's one of my favorite things, whenever it comes up.

Are you watching the current season, or rewatching old ones?

[number8]

I'm all caught up. I watch every week.

[Mara]

I'm all caught up. I watch every week.

How is it? Worth watching?

[number8]

No. I do it anyway.

But they recently found a permanent base, so the last episode had Dean doing some cooking and interior decorating.

[number8]

Latest episode...

Meg: You ever miss the apocalypse? Things were so simple back then.

GOD YES.

[Mara]

Stop torturing yourself, guy.

[number8]

Ugh, so the last two episodes of the season ended up being really intense and pretty damn good, and is setting up insane repercussions for next season (Castiel is now human!, Heaven's door is closed!, Crowley is cured?). I'm starting to resent this show for not allowing to let go. I came so close this season. The last shot of the finale, with all the angels falling down from the sky as fireballs, is chilling.

[Thirdmango]

So I just sort of forgot about keeping up with this show because those episodes in the first season were just nothing. Then today I happened to catch an episode on TV from the end of the 4th season and it was so incredibly clever that now I want to watch it again. It was the episode: With the guy who writes the comic book of their lives and it turns out he's a prophet.