Watching Supernatural

In the middle of working on my review for episode 3×10 “Dream A Little Dream of Me” (yes, I’m going out of order), I received some news that pretty much superseded anything I had in mind to post.

Supernatural has been nominated for a Saturn Award for “Best Network Television Series.”

Now, don’t get your hopes up because the show’s been nominated for the same award before, in 2006. Of course, we lost to Lost, who is our rival again this year.

But, if we look at this nomination the right way, this could be great news for us. As Kripke always warns us, we face the possibility of cancellation every May at the Upfronts. So far, we haven’t been canceled, but this could be just the thing to tip us over the edge into a renewal.

Then again, there’s no predicting what the CW execs will look at for determining the fate of Supernatural. But the internet buzz has to account for something, right?

TAGS: supernatural, saturn awards

Trickster: Sam. There’s a lesson here that I’ve been trying to drill into that freakish, Cro-Magnon skull of yours.
Sam: Lesson? What lesson?
Trickster: This obsession to save Dean, the way you two keep sacrificing yourselves for each other? Nothing good comes out of it. Just blood, and pain.

To read other recaps/reviews of this episode, check out BuddyTV, Rabiddoll, SignOnSanDiego, and TVSquad

This week’s episode was certainly something to savor. Not only was it the first time this season that we’ve been treated to two excellent episodes in row, but it was an amazing look at the future of the season and its two main characters.

First of all, major kudos to the writer of this episode, Jeremy Carver, and the director Philip Sgriccia. You might recall their names from episode 3×04 “Sin City” and episode 3×08 “A Very Supernatural Christmas.” I think it’s safe to say that any episode Carver writes might be a little short on the suspense but will be chockfull of hints for upcoming episodes.

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Rising Son #1

(click on the images to enlarge)

I know that I haven’t really been writing about the other things that accompany Supernatural, such as the magazines and comics, for a while now. Due to the unpredictability of the WGA strike (though, it’s been rumored that a draft of a proposed deal between the Writers Guild of America and the AMPTP could be ready by today), the comics are especially a welcome reprieve from our lack of new episodes this season.

Supernatural: Origins, the first of a trilogy, came out last year to surprisingly disgruntled reviews by fans of the show. (more…)

The LA Times recently published an article following the inception and current state of financial affairs over at the CW. Among other things, the author seems content to point to the WGA strike as a major factor for the lack of advertising money that the CW is now suffering from.

While I’m sure the WGA strike is taking its toll on the CW, I applaud the author for also pointing out that the CW mismanaged their advertising.

“”Their shows are very good,” said Shari Anne Brill, programming director for ad-buying firm Carat. “It almost seems like people don’t know that they are there.” Source

Yes, they are very good. Gossip Girl is looking to become the next O.C. Aliens in America is a quirky and fun portrayal of life in suburban America. Smallville is a proven fan-favorite. America’s Next Top Model is certainly holding strong as the number one rated show on the CW.

But where the hell is Supernatural in that list?

In the words of Paul McGwire, The CW’s network communications executive:

“The CW is very supportive of Supernatural and continues to be. The show continues to deliver strong episodes viewers like yourself have embraced.”Source

If that’s so, why hasn’t there been more promotion of Supernatural? I distinctly remember seeing large posters for Reaper and Gossip Girl on train platforms, but I’ve yet to see one for Supernatural.

For a show that consistently yields ratings of about 3 million viewers, and even picked up some excellent ratings this week with “Malleus Maleficarum,” the treatment the show has been getting from the advertising department has been absolutely deplorable.

Yes, Supernatural is a genre show that isn’t aimed at simpering fun like Gossip Girl, quirky comedy like Aliens in America, or even tomfoolery like Reaper. It’s serious, it’s dark, and it’s frighteningly real.

I suggest you advertising folks pay attention to the possible runaway hit you have in your hands. If you don’t, you’ll get rid of it, and then you’ll kick yourself very hard for losing the only show that actually had a hope of standing up against Grey’s and Lost.

Even if you aren’t a part of a Nielsen family, and even if you are a fan of Lost, PLEASE consider watching Supernatural as it airs tonight instead of Lost. Lost will always be a ratings master, but this is one of few chances we have left to show our support for Supernatural.

Supernatural airs tonight on the CW at 9 ET/8 CT.

TAGS: supernatural, the cw

This episode’s official blurb is:

Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) race to Bobby’s (guest star Jim Beaver) side after he lapses into a coma and can’t be awakened. While unconscious, Bobby battles his personal demons and the reason he became a hunter is revealed.

Sam and Dean discover someone poisoned Bobby with a potion that will kill him if he doesn’t wake soon. When the brothers decide to take the potion themselves to enter Bobby’s dream in order to save him, they come face to face with their own personal nightmares.

According to a recent interview with Eric Kripke, “Dream a Little Dream” will be the major turning point for Dean in his opinion of dying and leaving Sam to fight his battle alone. As we’ve seen all along, from season two’s “Bloodlust” and the selflessness (and, inherent selfishness) in the deal made with the Crossroad’s demon in “All Hell Breaks Loose,” Dean has never really valued his life as his own. It’s always been just another commodity of his to give to his brother and his father, simply because he loved them. I’ll be on tenterhooks waiting to see just what is strong enough to change his mind!

Here is the trailer, as well as a clip from the episode:

Don’t forget: “Dream A Little Dream” is airing tomorrow night at 9 ET/8 CT on the CW! Please help boost ratings so we can show the CW just how much we love Supernatural!

TAGS: supernatural, episode 3×10, dream a little dream

Apparently, for the third time in the past three years, Supernatural is being nominated for Best Sound Editing: Sound Effects and Foley for Short Form Television by the Motion Picture Sound Editors, or MPSE. The episode in consideration is 2×22 “All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 2.”

Considering all the hard work that the crew puts into our show (just look at what the visual FX crew does for each episode), it must be heartening for them to know that their work is still very much appreciated.

The nominees for this year’s award are:

Supervising Sound Editor: Michael E. Lawshé
Co-Supervising Sound Editor: Norval “Charlie” Crutcher III
Sound Designer: Marc Meyer
Sound Editors: Stu Calderon, Timothy A. Cleveland, David Lynch, Paul Diller
Foley Artists: Casey Crabtree, Michael Crabtree

Congratulations to them! This year’s award ceremony will be held at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Wouldn’t it be nice if we finally won?

TAGS: supernatural, mpse golden reel awards, sound editing

Sam: Look, Dean, you’re leaving, right? And I’ve gotta stay here in this crap hole of a world… alone. So, the way I see it, if I’m gonna make it, if I’m gonna fight this war after you’re gone, then I’ve gotta change.
Dean: Change into what?
Sam: Into you. I’ve gotta be more like you.

To read other recaps/reviews of this episode, check out rabiddoll.com, Starpulse, and TVSquad

For some history in the episode’s title, check out what tv.com has to say about it.

Like Sin City, this episode felt like a ‘monster of the week’ episode, as well as a little hint of what Dean would have to face when in hell. I found myself disappointed in the acting this week, though Edlund’s script was stellar as usual. The introduction of witches in this world of Sam and Dean Winchester was brilliant, because I’ve always wondered where they fit in the entire scheme of things.

Yet, it it was the final moments of the episode, the revelation that Ruby was once a witch, that really piqued my interest. If Dean is now in the thrall of demon (who can apparently stop bullets, Matrix-style), will he really someday become a demon?

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