Urban Legends : Remastered

As a horror fan, I thought I'd seen it all. However, in the near infinite myriad of programming vying for one's attention, Supernatural stands out as something both unique and refreshing. If I could sum up the show in one word, it would be: SPECTACULAR! The beauty of the show is it takes a simple premise: "the great American road trip" and it twists and turns it into a whole new entity and places it in the same category as some of the other great shows in the genre such as the 'X-Files' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', yet it still retains its own identity.

First off, character development is outstanding. With only two primary cast members, this was a critical issue to deal with, but Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles deliver their roles perfectly, almost as if they were brothers in real life. The tension of the boys' relationship with their father (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is also a noteworthy aspect of the show's excellent interpersonal dynamics, as it transcends the usual conventions and adds layer upon layer of love, hate, respect, and fear. In addition, throughout the first season each character evolves as their battle with evil (and good) intensifies. In the end everyone is stripped of their protective facades and are left vulnerable and exposed, with nothing but their true personas serving as a shield against an overwhelming enemy that seemingly can't be stopped. Not only does this add a boost of realism, but it also charts the character's growth throughout the season leaving us with complex individuals instead of stagnant cardboard cutouts reset back to their "same-old, same-old" status quos by the end of the episode.

Another refreshing aspect of the show, is, it doesn't insult the audience. Existing horror conventions are borrowed, but almost all of them are updated into something new, as it successfully blends the insider info found in cult shows with the broader appeal of horror and action for the more mainstream audience. What we get is a hybrid of the two. On one hand terms and names of creatures or books are mentioned without any further explanation alluding to the notion that the show expects you to have some prior knowledge of the subject matter (such as skinwalkers). Yet on the other hand it reassures you that if you don't know what they're talking about, you will by the end of the episode. But there is never needless exposition. Certainly you'll always get the crucial information at what's directly involved in the current plot, but the writers take the liberty of keeping some things a mystery, furthering the appeal of the show. We as the viewer are assumed to know about some stuff, but if not, we're guaranteed to eventually know if we hitch a ride with the Winchester brothers and tag along for the journey.

Stylistically, the show hits a home run by its deliberate use of a gritty and rural gothic look. Ingrained in the series is a blue collar feel, an organic "earthiness" that lowers our defenses and brings things closer to home. The Winchesters are not wealthy or flashy, nor are their friends or allies. And with the exception of the beautiful and elfish Meg (Nicki Lynn Aycox), most of the characters are designed as every men---the average Joes that could easily pass as our brothers, fathers, uncles, neighbors, or friends. These people live cluttered lives far from the unrealistically neat and pristine glamor found in other shows. Supernatural is not a trendy new pair of pants, it's the old pair of faded blue jeans with the holes in the knees that are the most comfortable to wear. This is also demonstrated by music. Gone is the high school Emo or current pop hit single, instead we get the Classic Rock that is so crucial for those long road trips when you need a good beat to keep you awake while driving the lonely highways at night.

The show also boasts some impressive production values. The film crew makes masterful use of lighting, and they're thankfully not afraid to film in the dark or to use heavy shadows. I'm also repeatedly impressed with the excellent sound effects done by the Foley artists and sound designers.

So why should you see this? Supernatural is a crescendo of characterization, horror, action, twists, and sheer ingenuity that comes to a shocking season finale. It's grounded in the notion that in our normal, everyday lives, something evil lurks just out of sight ready to strike, and odds are you won't be able to handle it without the help of two men in a black '67 Impala.

If you're a fan of horror, urban legends, or just in the mood to watch something new, you owe it to yourself to check this show out. It's well worth your time.