Blu-ray review: ‘Supernatural: The Complete First Season’
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman
There’s a tenuous balance between teen-friendly shenanigans and gory thrills in “Supernatural.” The hourlong drama, which will premiere its sixth season on CW in fall, began its life on the dying WB network in 2005. That first season is now getting a Blu-ray upgrade.
“Supernatural” follows a pair of brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester (Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki), who hunt the unearthly, from ghosts to demons to urban legend fodder that’s quite real.
Despite the show’s fetish for dripping blood and a propensity to push the envelope on network TV violence standards, it’s got a foot firmly planted in the teen-oriented world of WB, evidenced most by the two leads — both are fresh-faced, with the teen-certified pedigree to match. (Padalecki had a major role in “Gilmore Girls,” and Ackles had arcs in “Smallville” and “Dawson’s Creek.”)
Perhaps what makes the show even more surprising that the it is able to deliver genuine scares on a regular basis. The archetypal horror set-ups are utterly familiar, but creepy atmospherics and solid effects go a long way in selling the terror. “Supernatural” is at its best when it relies on an episodic structure, with the brothers discovering evil around every corner.
What’s less compelling is the season-long story arc that has Sam and Dean searching for their father (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), while dealing with various personal conflict. Padalecki and Ackles might pass the swoon test, but they aren’t as equipped to sell emotional turmoil.
Still, “Supernatural” is more effective than its homogeneous parts give it any right to be. The show seems to have gone off the rails somewhat of late, but its first season remains a reliable source of clenched fists and sweaty palms.
The high-def upgrade serves the show well, bringing new clarity to its glossy, high-contrast look and better-than-TV-grade effects. The Blu-ray has some new special features, too, including an in-depth interactive guide to the urban legends featured in the show and a panel discussion with cast and creators.
-Dusty
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Comments
The most compelling part of the first season of Supernatural was the family aspect of the show, the brothers searching for their father and the family relationship, it’s a show about family at its heart and always has been since day one. It’s the point of the show, not the horror, the family.
Also Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki are both great actors and they have just gotten better every year.
Thanks for turning me on to this series! It’s getting harder and harder to find decent television at all anywhere any more. While I could live without the teen appeal, finding a horror series that’s tightly plotted enough to give real scares on a week to week basis is no small feat. That’s something that Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Charmed never did manage to do no matter how hard they tried. The last Joss Whedon creation, Firefly, was absolutely wonderful, so of course it only lasted one season before being canned by the network. I’ll definitely be checking this one out on rental and getting it for myself if it lives up to your review.
Donald from Sage Tea Side Effects
I disagree with you when you say that Supernatural is at it’s best when it has a more episodic structure. Personally, I feel that if you think that then you really don’t understand the heart of the show. The root of the show is family. Sure the episode can’t just be the hunt-of-the-week, but at the end of it all it’s about their personal conflicts and their struggles as brothers. Maybe you’re just not as emotionally invested as I am, but I think maybe you’ve been too quick to judge. I find the relationship between Sam and Dean much more compelling than the monster-of-the-week episodes. I strongly suggest you watch the next seasons; it’s the only way to really see just how compelling their personal problems can be.