Supernatural - The Complete Third Season

I think Supernatural is a much better show than most people (other than fans) give it credit for. But I won't be buying the third season until the inevitable $19.99 sale in a few months. I am pissed that the season was substantially shorter than the first two but we're still being asked to pay the same amount. That just seems wrong. I can't give Supernatural one star no matter how mad I am that they didn't make the price comparable to the amount of episodes contained. So I'm giving it two. Please note that the rating is based on the price alone and not on the quality of the show, which really is good.

Before I discuss the show in some depth, I want to state that this tv series' episodes are often more enjoyable the 2nd or 3rd time around - same as other popular paranormal shows - especially the X-Files. Hence having said that, buying the season sets is a must for all who like/love this show.

SUPERNATURAL is a very unique tv series in that it shows two brothers, often in each other faces fighting over the most trivial of things (e.g. Sam's watching with a disgusted face of Dean gargling post toothbrushing and examining the "not squeezed properly" condition of the toothpaste tube), while bonding over surviving another episode of horrors/drama often with life or death situations. The first is common with nearly every sibling relationship and that is refreshing to see in this unique tv series rather than commonly seen in sappy other tv shows.

SEASON ONE was rough in spots due to the interaction of the young actors, but followed by a VERY strong, better acted second season. Yet the storyline really made the show develop in a strong direction. The SECOND SEASON'S strongest appeal often was with the choice songs that complimented the them of various episodes...somewhat dated songs at times (some made me feel real old for I remember the songs when they first came out) but appropriate nonetheless. The true bonding of the brothers really becomes apparent in Season Two. The THIRD SEASON - all actors finally have a well-oiled fit/working relationship that allow the episodes to move in a more realistic fashion. My favorite episode (and it is hard to really pick only one) is the where Dean dies in over a hundred different ways while Sam repeats the same Tuesday over and over again. The episode is funny, emotional with brotherly love, and the determination by Sam to stop the cycle of seeing his brother die day after day. The premise of repeated time has a common appeal for I've seen it in other shows with interesting outcomes (e.g. Star Trek Next Generation, X-Files, and most recently in the relatively new series Eureka - to name a few). In all three seasons, I particularly enjoy the banter between the brothers over the course of a beer or two at the end of the day - definitely more down-to-earth characters than in many other sci-fi/paranormal tv series. Added to this are the wildly unique, often bizarre hotel rooms (e.g. the vibrating bed, the funky 50's style rooms, the ick - I don't want to walk barefoot in that motel room)...and finally the car - definitely a classic for Dean's character even though I have the feeling that Sam loves the car too.

So no fancy hotel rooms, older vehicle, interesting music selections, down-to-earth brothers that enjoy beer in the course of their work as "Hunters" of paranormal activity, and finally the bonding and fighting between brothers add to a very realistic series while covering the appeal of the activities that cannot be explained without believing in the supernatural. Almost every episode is provided with a recap of earlier episodes to help viewers recall particular scenes pertinent to the episode to follow. However, with the DVDs, you have the option of skipping the intro and delving right into the episode. The commentaries are often the best for Jared (Sam) and Jensen (Dean) are naturally funny. A few of the outtakes or gag reel are hilarious and worth watching several times. After watching a few of these, I had to rewatch the episode in which these gags occurred and it really made me enjoy the show more. This brings me to the subject of added extras - it is nice to see these already in the DVD season sets rather than waiting for them with later DVD editions.

As for the show's future - I hope to see more music (season 3 was dismal when compared to season 2's music) and a continuation of the brother bond and rivalry. These make the show. I also hope the show continues longer than the 4 or 5 seasons that have been suggested. I believe this show fits nicely within the cult following of other shows such as: Angel, X-Files, Buffy VS, and maybe a few other paranormal/sci fi shows.

Despite being the shortest season *Shakes fist at Writer's Strike* Supernatural is the only show on television that leaves me begging for more.
I have never been a Sci-fi fan (I'm a closet horror fan though *shrugs*) but this show, oh man, this show blows me away. The closeness of the brothers (Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki are the two hottest actors on screen today) and the mythology are two of the biggest reasons why I watch this show.
Supernatural has something for everyone whether you enjoy it for the thrill, amazing cinematography, dialogue or eye candy.
Can't wait for Season 4!

I remember watching the first season religiously. I went to any length necessary to see episodes that I missed. The show was great! Then came the second season where Dean was an emotional wreck and Sam turned into a wimp. Okay, fine, it's the second season - it will get better. Third season comes and it's pretty good...right up until the writer's strike and all of a sudden I don't get the other 8 episodes promised, leaving plot holes and an overall disappointing season. Then, they want to charge the full price of a regular season for 2/3 of a season provided.
I don't pay full price for 2/3 of a haircut.
I don't pay full price to see 2/3 of a movie.
I don't pay full price for 2/3 of a pizza.
I won't pay full price for 2/3 of a crappy season, even if it is my favorite show (it's a sliding scale).

This wasn't my favourite season. With the writers strikes and budget cuts I personally didn't feel it was the fully rounded package. Most episodes were bloody brilliant, equal and exceeding the top ones of the previous seasons. Yet, when they were bad they were horrid (Red Sky in the Morning, Malleus Maleficarum, Ghostfacers).

For some, the inclusion of the two female characters Bela and Ruby was a mistake. I cannot fault the demon character of Ruby or the actress's performance, feeling that the character served it's purpose successfully and added another layer of intrigue to the show (Is it possible demon's can be good? That evil isn't always evil?) According to rumor she is not returning next season which is not the end of the world completely but I will be pissed if no reason for her absence or lack of mention is given. In the previous seasons I didn't particularly care greatly that characters like Missouri, Ellen and Jo were never seen again but the fact that their characters weren't actually written out...that bugged me to no end.
Bela, ah, the dreaded Bela. No one liked her apparently. But what fans don't seem to realise was that that was the point. But I do understand where they are coming from. The character should have been used to its full potential or not at all. Timing was also something that didn't suit Bela too well, let alone acting skills that left a lot to be desired. Yet one thing I think the writers did do right was Bela's exit which was smart and impacting, we even sympathized.

The clock is ticking for poor Dean this season and Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki manage to add even more to the brotherly relationship between the two and we see that the connection that was originally growing has begun to disintegrate and you get the feeling that they're both keeping up appearances, keeping secrets from one another. And we as the audience lap it up.

It's a dark season but the humor, when it comes (and it comes often) is brilliantly timed and delivered and undeniably I smile through a good 60 percent of each hour. With budget cuts the classic rock music is slightly more limited than usual but there's still just enough there to keep us going.

Supernatural is a hidden jem. I don't know when the stupid CW will dump their floundering pet project Smallville and give Supernatural the attention it deserves but we, the fans (and there are a lot of us), won't give up hope. A good article about Supernatural's plight can be read here: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/03/04/224112.php

I look forward to Season Four with baited breath, Season Three's finale left me slightly anxious.