Supernatural

I am currently catching up on seasons 6 and 7 of Supernatural.

This show is one of my guilty pleasures.  And we could probably have a debate about whether feeling guilty about something that brings you pleasure, at least in the realms of TV, books and movies, is really all that sane.  What guilty pleasure should actually be called is an embarrassing pleasure because that's what's really going on.  I'm  embarrassed at how much I like this show but, hell, if the utterly fantastic Jim Beaver can regularly appear on the show without so much as a blush who am I to be embarrassed. 

Now that that's out of the way, we can move on.  Supernatural is a show that focuses on the trials and tribulations of two brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester, who have the unusual occupation of "hunters".  What do they hunt?  You guessed it - all manner of supernatural things.  At its best a Supernatural episode is a mini horror flick with some laughs and human drama thrown in.  At its worst Supernatural is, well, a friggin cesspool of brotherly angst.


The show heavily relies on its two focal characters and in fact the first couple, perhaps even three seasons barely had a supporting cast. The two stars of Supernatural are certainly charismatic and..ahem.. easy on the eyes (more on that later) but it is hard to stay compelling week after week focused on one relationship (X-Files is a show that comes to mind which did it well).  So I think in that regard the show has been enhanced with the addition of some excellent recurring supporting characters such as the aforementioned Jim Beaver as Bobby Singer and Misha Collins as the angel Castiel.  But as season six rolls on I have to say its running out of steam.  This show has had some really great moments but reveletionary or revolutionary television it ain't.  And there's only so much you can do to these two poor guys - I mean they've both been damned to hell and come back, Sam was supposed to be the antichrist for a while, they stopped the apocalypse and a war between heaven and hell...ummm... where do you go from there.  They've gotten to the point where they keep having the same conversations over and over and over....

I continue to watch, however.  Why?  Well it's fun and you don't have to pay too close attention.  And I'm also a big fan of Jensen Ackles.  To the point where I like to puzzle on why he hasn't "made it big". First of all, look at the man:

He's pretty.  AND, more importantly, he can act.  He's got an incredibly mobile and expressive face which he uses to great affect.  He can break your heart in a dramatic scene while also having pretty spot-on comic timing. Supernatural has given him some opportunities to shine and he has really shone but those moments have become pretty scarce.   So why hasn't Hollywood snatched him up?  One of the great mysteries of our time...or well... my not-nearly-occupied-enough time.  He's still mostly a pleasure to watch and I'm glad the show is still rolling so at least he remains gainfully employed but I shudder to think what a seventh and ..lord preserve us.. eighth season have in store for those of us who can't look away.

If you feel like you need some in depth analysis and recaps of Supernatural I highly recommend you check out the recaps posted on Television Without Pity by Demian and his imaginary gay dragon Raoul.  You won't be disappointed.  Though I see Demian and Raoul have slowly backed away for Season 8...

What are your guilty pleasures?