Supernatural: A New Mythos for a New Generation

Twenty-two years ago, Sam (Jared Padalecki, "Gilmore Girls," "House of Wax") and Dean (Jensen Ackles, "Smallville," "Dark Angel")Winchester lost their mother in a fiery blaze that consumed their home and changed their lives forever. No ordinary house fire, the flames that robbed them of their mother was born of a dark force of evil. Certain no one would believe him, their father John Winchester (Jeffrey Dean Morgan, "Grey's Anatomy") spent the following years training them as warriors, on a quest to destroy every evil thing lurking in the dark corners of the world and destroy the demon that killed their mother.

Sam eventually tires of their violent life; however, and longs for his own life. After an argument that drives a deep wedge between father and son, Sam leaves his father's quest to pursue a law degree at Stanford.

Two years later, Dean shows up on Sam's doorstep - because their father has gone missing. Convinced he's "gone to ground" because he's finally latched onto the trail of the demon responsible for their mother's death, Dean insists that Sam rejoin him to find their father and kill the demon that killed their mother. Sam resists at first, determined to live his own life: but fate conspires against him, as the demon returns to claim Sam's girlfriend.

Season One of Supernatural pitted Sam and Dean Winchester against all of the classic "urban legend" and horror story myths; from "Bloody Mary", a guy in a trenchcoat with a hook, (I Know What You Did Last Summer), pagan harvest gods feeding on humans for their body parts, (Jeepers Creepers), and some of the best, good old fashioned supernatural baddies: werewolves, zombies, wendigos, shapeshifters, angels of death, and yes - of course, it wouldn't be the CW (formerly the WB) without some vampires lurking about.

In the hands of less capable story-writers and actors, many of the storylines would be flat and uninspired, borrowing so heavily from "stock-in-store" monster myths, but Jared Padalecki (Sam), and Jensen Ackles (Dean) consistently give excellent performances, raising the show above these common myths. Both actors played second-fiddle long enough on other CW shows; Smallville and Gilmore Girls respectively, and halfway through the second season, they are clearly here to say awhile.

Partway through Season Two and Supernatural is walking the tightrope many similar shows have in the past: carrying on a unifying story arc that's compelling and note-worthy, but having enough stand-alone shows to draw in new viewers. The now canceled Angel, (a Joss Whedon Buffy spin-off staring David Boreanz of Bones), fell prey to this in the end: too heavy and involved a story arc alienated new viewers as their numbers started slipping. However, Supernatural continues to find the right balance; letting viewers enjoy self-contained, isolated episodes, while dangling story-arc elements at the end of each show.

Good acting, excellent character development, and a looming war on the horizon between humans and demons - one that Sam will play an unknown role in, especially given his developing psychic powers and the demon's promise that he has "plans for him" - promises a series to keep an eye on. Christians are likely to be divided on this show, just as they were with Buffy the Vampire Slayer; some will enjoy the recurring themes of "good vs. evil"; others will chafe at the occult references, and the fact that the Winchesters rely on their own human efforts to battle evil, rather than God. Either way, Supernatural provides a welcome alternative to campy shows about teens drinking and having irresponsible sex, like most of all the other CW offerings.