Supernatural Spinoff Update - Title and More.

So there's more information starting to come out about the Supernatural spinoff.

We already know that it will kick off in Supernatural episode 9.20 - which will be written by/has been written by Andrew Dabb.

9.20 will be what is known as a "backdoor pilot" or "embeded pilot". This means that the CW and Warner Bros are using an existing show to launch a new show. The CW have successfully done this with The Originals, which took existing characters from The Vampire Diaries and spun them into their own show and is also hoping to have success again with the Arrow spinoff, The Flash. The Flash character was introduced over a couple of season 2 Arrow episodes.

Supernatural 9.20 is said to introduce some new characters which will then spinoff in their own right into their own show.

The spinoff will be set in Chicago and will be stand alone - in that it won't have the regular characters from Supernatural, AKA Sam and Dean appearing in it. Though whether characters from Supernatural ever crossover to the spinoff, we'll have to wait and see, (not that many characters other than the main characters are left alive to cross over to the new show!) but the bulk of the news about this new series seems to suggest that the CW are building a brand new show that will stand on its own two feet.

Jensen and Jared have both discussed the hope that they may be able to shoot part of 9.20 in Chicago, but being as most of the Supernatural crew is Canadian and that it would require a US crew set up to shoot the episode and also all the other associated costs of transporting a Canadian produced show to Chicago - like Baby - chances are that won't happen - at least not the whole episode, though it is possible that some elements of the episode may be shot separately there.

But what about the spinoff series if it's picked up?

Well let's just say, The Tomorrow People is set in New York and that's where they shot their pilot, but the show now shoots in Vancouver. So that might be an indication!

Here's what was revealed about the spinoff back in July via Entertainment Weekly.

As buzz continued to build about Supernatural’s upcoming spin-off executive producers Jeremy Carver and Robert Singer yesterday shared with EW some new info about the spin-off, which is currently scheduled to be introduced to viewers in episode 20 of the upcoming new season.

In the Chicago-set episode, Carver said we’ll be introduced to a show that would, if picked up by the network, “explore the clashing monster and human characters” living in the city. In fact, he said, “we’ll have main characters who are both human and monsters.” That will include, added Singer, “families of monsters and families of hunters.” “It’s much more of an ensemble than Supernatural,” Singer said.

Starting with a fresh slate of characters, Singer explained, felt like a non-traditional approach to a spin-off that also left room for Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) to introduce viewers into the world. “Most spin-offs, you spin characters out and create a show about them. Jared and Jensen will be in the spin-off, but it’s an entirely different cast of characters,” Singer said. “And unlike Supernatural – which is a road show — this will take place in one place with a wider cast of characters.”

And while news of the in-the-works Supernatural spin-off may have caught some fans of the long-running series by surprise, Carver said he had a feeling it would eventually become a topic of discussion. “I think any time a show goes this long — unless you’re Chicago Fire [which got a spin-off after one season] — then you’re always in the back of your mind going to be thinking the what-if scenario,” he said.

“It’s going to be quite a departure — the same world but from a whole new perspective,” Carver added.

In August the head of the CW, Mark Pedowitz had this to say:

"It will be set in Chicago. There will be hunters. There will be monsters [...] I don't believe anyone is intending to have continuing characters in it that are presently on Supernatural". 

Now as Supernatural starts prepping episode 9.17 and the spinoff series "backdoor pilot" is getting closer to production, there's some more news coming out...

We have a title! They're utilising the Supernatural brand. The show will be called: "Supernatural: Tribes."


The Hollywood Reporter  also has this information:

Supernatural: Tribes will explore the clashing hunter and monster cultures of Chicago and hails from Supernatural's writer Andrew Dabb, who will exec produce alongside Eric Kripke, Robert Singer, showrunner Jeremy Carver and McG. Singer will direct the Warner Bros. Television entry.

Fabulous that it's being created and executive produced by the Supernatural crew. There's also been talk that if the pilot gets picked up, Andrew Dabb will move over to "Tribes" as showrunner. Which is a bit of a bummer because I've grown to love his episodes. Especially the work he's done in seaosn 9.

Over at the Chicago Tribune, they're speculating whether "Supernatural: Tribes" will be shot locally:

The CW announced Wednesday that long running drama “Supernatural” is getting a spinoff. And unlike the original, which follows brothers Dean and Sam Winchester as they hunt ghosts and monsters all over the country, the spinoff, “Supernatural: Tribes” will take place in Chicago.

According to Entertainment Weekly, “Supernatural” executive producer Robert Singer revealed in July during San Diego Comic Con that a potential spinoff would be introduced as a backdoor pilot toward the end of the current “Supernatural” season (You might remember “Chicago Fire” did the same thing with its spinoff, “Chicago PD”). Singer added that the spinoff would “explore the clashing monster and human characters” and that “we’ll have main characters who are both human and monsters (and) families of monsters and families of hunters. ... It’s much more of an ensemble than ‘Supernatural.’ ”

The original “Supernatural” is filmed in Vancouver. Will the spinoff film there as well or shoot on-location in Chicago? “No word on them filming here, yet,” said Chicago Film Office director Rich Moskal by email Thursday.

“Supernatural” is known for having one of the most passionate fanbases. There’s even a “Supernatural” convention, which this year will take place Oct. 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont. “Supernatural” stars Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki are scheduled to attend.

So what do you think? I'm not sure! 

I watch The Originals. I actually like it better than The Vampire Diaries these days! But, Supernatural to me is Sam and Dean and while I love the stories, the monsters, the hunter mythology etc., I watch for the relationship between these wounded, gloriously frustrating, chaotic, epically heroic, tragic and beautiful brothers. I know many of you are the same and a lot of fans feel similarly about Castiel. So will a brand new show with brand new characters, even if set in our Supernatural Universe, have the same charm? Hmm. Dare I say doubtful? I think Supernatural is lightning in a bottle, a magical combination that rarely happens in television. Jensen and Jared infuse that show with so much love that it bounces off the screen. It's special. That's why we're so passionate about it.

But this spinoff might be awesome in its own right! It also might bring a new audience across to Supernatural, if people tune into the new show and then get curious about the existing show. Geesh, could our ratings jump again in season 10? That would be incredible!

I'm super interested to see what episode 9.20 has in store for us and what/who these new characters are. Let me know your thoughts on all of this. Are there any living Supernatural characters/monsters you'd like see take up residence in Chicago and become a part of "Supernatural: Tribes"?

Until next time my friends, have a Supernaturally awesome day!

-sweetondean

Big Fan Girl Squee

OMG! Eric Kripke is teaming up with J.J. Abrams to create a one-hour NBC "epic adventure thriller.” No real details other than Kripke wrote the pilot and will produce along with Abrams and Bryan Burk. Pairing these two together makes REVOLUTION an automatic watch for me. How about you? Is this a genius duo or what?

Kripke Developing New Show

According to an MTV article, Kripke is developing a new super hero show for the CW to replace the retired Smallville. Deadman, is about a murdered trapeze artist who can take possession of other living bodies--thanks to a Hindu goddess--to solve crimes and save the world.

Honestly, they had me at Kripke. That's enough for me to give it a try, how about you? Let's just hope the hero looks more like J&J and not the comic character!

SPN in the news

Of course, the biggest news over the last week was (as has already been mentioned here) the renewal for season 7! Other mentions include:

A slide show of Season 6 questions we hope to see answered:

Questions


A summary of SPOILERS for the last three eps of the season:

Final Three

There were also, I am sad to say, a slew of rumors about Misha not coming back after this season. But (the good news is) I was never able to find official confirmation of that!

Besides, even if someone does "leave" the show, they could always come back, right, Crowley?

SPNews

The big news this week comes from PaleyFest:

TV Overmind has a must-read write-up of the festival, including some fun behind-the-scenes info on The French Mistake, as well as great tidbits about the show in general. Some highlights: Bobby almost didn't make it on the show, there's going to be an episode entirely from Castiel's POV and it's Ben Edlund's directorial debut and the finale will be two back-to-back episodes, the first written my Sera, the second written by Kripke!

The Examiner offers another review. Here's another review of PaleyFest. Most interesting scoop - Dean's jacket is MIA because it was stolen at a photoshoot.

Eep! Entertainment Weekly talks about the finale. Nothing really spoiled, but apparently they've saved the scariest for last. We better get a season 7 because they promise it's one heckuva cliffhanger.

An Inner Space video interview with Jared and Jensen discussing Season 6.

Entertainment Weekly's TV Survival Scorecard for returning shows has Supernatural in the "Could Go Either Way" column. Let's see a renewal already CW!

A disgruntled SPN fan write's TV Guide's Matt Rousch for his opinion on Season 6.

E! Online's Watch with Kristin talks about the likelihood of a seventh season.

TV Guide talks about the season finale. Bad news - "two unexpected deaths." Good news - Kripke says, "We're actually enjoying that, for the first time in a long time, the brothers are a really strong, cohesive unit, so we're going to keep them like that for the foreseeable future."

Hope that last bit of news keeps you happy for awhile. :)

SPNews

The big news hit last week with official confirmation of season 6 and Eric Kripke (along with his co-runner Robert Singer) stepping down as the showrunner. However, we trust the show is in great hands with exec producer/writer Sera Gamble and, thankfully, both Kripke and Singer have stated they’ll still be involved.

So what does this mean for a post-apocalypse SPN? Well, according to an interview Buddy TV did with the writers, season 6 “won’t have the scope” of this season. Instead Sera says, “You just turn left and go a whole other direction. The show has never really been about God and the angels and demons, it's a show about Sam and Dean." She further added, "There has always been a deep well to jump into in the boys' relationship...We have the opportunity to go back from the epic to a more intimate story." The idea is to go back to more stand-alones and Ben Edlund for one, is happy he can be “be funny again.”

The next natural question is this…if they’re going back to the basics, where does that leave Castiel? According to E’s Kristin, Misha only has a contract through season 5, but sources close to the show are “hopeful” he’ll be asked to stay on.

And finally, according to Vegas News Jared was spotted at LAVO celebrating his bachelor party. He’s supposed to marry costar Genevieve Cortese next week in Idaho. (Darnnit couldn't find any pics of the party!)

Supernatural News

Can't get enough of the Ghostfacers? Well, you're in luck. Looks like those goofy guys are going to get their own Web series spinoff.

http://smallscreenscoop.com/supernatural-spin-off/34602/

Gateworld is reporting that Michael Shanks (of Stargate SG-1 fame) will be guesting on an upcoming episode of Supernatural.

http://www.gateworld.net/news/2010/01/shanks-to-guest-star-on-supernatural/

Speculation about a possible sixth season of Supernatural is continuing to heat up.

http://www.movieweb.com/news/NELzqQOMJGFsQL

Kripke offers unique auction to help Haiti.

http://www.examiner.com/x-35662-LA-TV-Insider-Examiner~y2010m1d21-Supernaturals-Peoples-Choice-Nomination-Prize-Up-For-Charity-Auction

From the Floor of the Writers' Room

It goes without saying that we’re excited about the show coming back on tomorrow! But lately, SPN fans have also been excited about the possibility of the show coming back next year. Television history demonstrates that sometimes series which have been on the air awhile have to alter their original direction—characters who have been in high school for the show's entire run move on to new settings and plots on college campuses; a show that was initially based on the “power of three” sisters killed one off and had to cast about for a way to play off the premise; and after four seasons of fighting Wolfram and Hart, Angel accepts a job offer to work for them.

So, if the Winchesters return for an unexpected sixth season after the Apocalypse (which many feel is a natural end), will it be more of the same, or will the writers revamp the show entirely?

I was recently given a wadded up piece of paper from an unnamed source (my imagination. What, you named yours?) Said paper is rumored to have been found near the wastebasket in the Supernatural Writers’ Room, giving us a rare what-might-have-been peek at some proposed—but ultimately rejected—new directions for the brothers Winchester.

1. In the season five finale, Dean is killed in a climactic battle but, during the episode’s last few seconds, “downloads” into a new body. Season six opens with Sam’s stunned realization that his brother is a Cylon. The resulting story arc unravels the mystery of who else might not be human and why Bobby is suddenly hearing Dylan music.


2. With the Apocalypse behind them, Sam returns to law school and the sixth season premiere kicks off SPN's new legal-drama format. Sam finds himself defending Dean against a murder charge. Richard Speight Jr. guest stars as the prosecuting attorney.



3. The Apocalypse is over. But our boys are so traumatized by what they’ve seen and done that all they want to do is forget for a few years. Enter a mysterious British woman who works for a shadowy corporation. She offers them the refuge of a temporary fresh slate, if they will allow their minds to be wiped clean and “imprinted” with different personalities…some of which might be sent on risqué assignments such as sleeping with multiple female clients. However, this show never really finds its feet and is ultimately axed, due to Dean scoffing that he’s perfectly happy to sleep with dozens of women without any personality transfers and Sam--broad-shouldered, tall, tall Sam—inadvertently breaks the treatment chair the first time he sits in it.



4. Now that the day has been saved and demons have retreated below to lick their wounds, Hunters everywhere are at loose ends. What to do next? With their accumulated knowledge of American diner cuisine, Sam, Dean and others compete against each other for the title of Top Short Order Cook. Quickfire challenges include best roadtrip snack and best new take on pig in a poke. The entire season is hosted by Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio, with the Ghostfacers rounding out Judge’s Table.

*****

Hmmm…

It’s probably best that the writers aren’t going with any of these and we all just wait to see what Kripke and Co. decide!

Mostly Spoilery News!

Shooting hiatus apparently means increased promotional activities, because we’ve got a bunch of interviews this week.

First, though, some casting and contest news:

FlashForward viewers might have gasped, “Hey, it’s Kubrick!” during the so-called fall finale.  He plays the infamous D. Gibbons, someone with an apparent connection to the blackout.

According to this article, Alona Tal joins Daneel Harris in the voice cast of Night of the Living Dead: Origins.

Buddy TV is having a holiday trivia contest, with prizes including signed DVDs and photos.

The episode 11 promo (“Sam, Interrupted”) can be found here.

Okay, interviews galore. Spoilers are marked with **, and I didn’t read those! :)

Misha Collins (I read this one, no spoilers)

More Misha**

Eric Kripke** (referencing a Nov. 20 USA Weekend article)

Sera Gamble** and another Sera Gamble** (might be same stuff)

Upcoming Episode Titles** (5.14 makes me squee. :) )

Misha Collins and Julie McNiven**

Here is a short vid interview with Jensen Ackles.  It looks like it’s old, from nearly a year ago, but who cares?  It’s Jensen on film, and we can pretend it’s recent and he’s talking about season six. :)

Ask Ausiello on the 100th episode.

Scroll down in this article for Four Horsemen spoilers.

A "Supernatural Magazine" review for 100-page issue #12 (I might need to get my hands on that!).

This thread posts a casting call for episode 5.14 (SPOILERS) and also posts a recent TV Guide article about the episode.

There you go!  Hopefully that will tide you over for a while.  Or at least today.  Two weeks down, we won’t say how many to go…

Favorite So Far

It was my week to do the episode recap, but there wasn't a new episode. Wah! Because I didn't realize this sooner, I didn't come up with a fabulous post to put up instead. So, I decided to start a discussion about the episodes we've seen so far.

My favorite episode so far this season was last week's, "I Believe The Children Are Our Future." One of the biggest "Whoa, didn't see that coming" moments of the season (and series) with the whole the Antichrist is an unknowing child thing. Plus, it did my heart good to see that despite everything they've been through, the brothers still managed to believe that this kid could still make the right decision and turn out to be a good guy. I really hope they're right. I think the casting people do a wonderful job with child guest stars, and Gattlin Griffith as Jesse was another superb choice. When I looked up his IMDB page, I noticed he's also in the current release, Couples Retreat, and has been a guest star on several shows.

Though many were wanting a lighter episode amidst all the darkness, my least favorite episode of the season so far is "Fallen Idol." There were definite funny moments and I like the end where Sam and Dean finally make peace.

What's been your favorite so far? Your least favorite? Why? How do you like how Kripke and the gang are doing so far this season?

Supernatural News

The Supernatural Role Playing Game came out in August, and here's an interesting review. Good news! You don't have to be a hard-core gamer to enjoy it.

Looks like another fun episode this week. Here's a laugh-worthy clip from "I Believe the Children Are Our Future." Oh, and thanks to whoever titled this episode for getting that Whitney Houston song stuck in my head.

Want to win a Supernatural companion signed by Jared Padalecki and a copy of In the Hunt, which includes essays by Supernatural Sisters' own MJ Fredrick and Tanya Michaels? Check out the details on how to enter a contest with these prizes at BuddyTV.

You can hear an audio interview with Eric Kripke at Sci-Fi TV Zone.

If you've heard any other Supernatural-related news, let us know.

Natalie's Recap-That's-Not-Really-a-Recap of "Fallen Idols"

Many fans of Supernatural had issues with the first four episodes of this season. They felt it was too dark, too depressing, that everything they'd loved about the first four seasons was gone. I never felt that way, so I can't speak for those who did. But I hope this week's show was at least a few steps toward bringing back that love.

For me, after the intensity and suspense of the last several episodes, I felt like something was missing. I'm not sure the simple plots of these stand-alone episodes can satisfy me anymore. On the other hand, it had a classic feel and self-contained story, with lots of humor and brotherly back-and-forth. They even had the Impala-road shot from "Monster Movie," the road (maybe even the actual shot, with some trees added and the sign removed) from "Phantom Traveler," and the parking lot from "It's the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester" (and maybe that was also the hotel from "Something Wicked," but I'm not positive about that one). And any remaining tensions and push-pull between our boys seems to have been taken care of by the end.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

My apologies to Kripke and all other car geeks for not knowing what "Little Bastard" was. I knew, however, that Dean would explain it, and guess what! He does!

We had an obligatory discussion setting up how they can get away with a traditional hunt in the midst of the apocalypse. Can't find the Colt, timeline established (three weeks of searching), get back into it slow, Dean still doesn't trust Sam but relents and says they both need a fresh start, so Sam can give in rather than keep butting heads. Okey-dokey.

So this monster-of-the-week-style ep mixes it up a bit. The pre-show hype re: Paris Hilton always referred to her as a demon. Deliberate misdirection? Apparently, because first they think it's ghosts. Celebrity ghosts, to be specific, and they're killing fans of those celebrities. Why here? A local wax museum (with really good wax figures, BTW, I wonder if they made them or borrowed them?) has actual effects of the actual celebrities. Remains!

Dean was pretty clumsy in his interrogation, and it wasn't the first time. Would you believe I'm not sure if that's an aberration or not? I mean, yeah, it's a given that Sam has always been better at drawing people out and Dean's not known for his subtlety. But the museum curator's looks at him were quite amusing. As was his wearing of the Fonzie jacket. :)

Eventually they figure out that it's not a ghost, and they didn't kill it when they evaporated Ghandi. Quite telling, beyond Dean's brotherly ribbing, that Sam is a fan of Ghandi. And very in keeping with who we all thought Sam was, back when we were saying stuff like "No way! Sam's too good! You can never convince me that he'd go bad!" Maybe that was just me.

Anyway. They learn Paris Hilton has taken a teenage fan, which helps them figure out--as, "as far as we know," Paris isn't dead--what they're actually dealing with. I'm not sure why Sam decided to cut open a body. I was too distracted by his scrubs. Yummmmmm.

Where was I? Oh, yeah. Why did Sam go digging in the body cavity? Who knows, but he found The Clue, the one that leads them to a pagan god (they used that screenshot on his laptop in "A Very Supernatural Christmas," too) who drank his victim's blood, and cue the annoyed fans for the pagan-god-bashing. *sigh*

That reminds me. In the beginning, when the blood poured down over the car name, I thought, "Nice effect, but not realistic. That's too much blood." But it was a clue! I felt both smug for noticing and chagrined for criticizing. :)


Some random comments:

Jared was totally making his Blue Steel face when he was doing stuff in the trunk. I wish they'd used a different shot--it's too jarring, takes us out of the show, and makes him look silly. I'm very tired of seeing it, after the overuse in the outtakes. I think, if I were a crew member, I'd have threatened him with face-slapping every time he did it. If I weren't too scared/star-struck to speak to him, that is.

I loved the Spanish conversation, and how I could follow it without knowing any Spanish at all, and therefore believe Sam could do it with his "freshman Spanish" despite how many years have passed since he took the class. :)

Research squared! Yes, Dean ditches Sam to go bar-hopping, but I love the little detail of them both having laptops now, obviously related to the rift because Dean didn't have his geek research brother with him anymore and had to do his own (which we know he's capable of doing, ref. "Wishful Thinking"). I also loved that, apparently, Sam is a Mac and Dean is a PC.

Okay, now, show of hands: When Dean tells Paris he's not her BFF, so she can't drink his blood, she says she can read his mind and knows Daddy's his hero. How many of you held your breath, hoping for the best kept secret surprise in the history of fandom? *raises hand* Alas, Jeffrey Dean Morgan did not magically appear for a 30-second showdown. *sigh*

I laughed a lot in this ep, but danged if I can remember any of the funny lines, except Dean's crack about not seeing House of Wax, and Sam's reaction to that.

The show ended with "Superstition," which meant it left me bubbling with happiness.

Okay, so let's talk about the most important thing. No, second most. Where Dean Stops Being a Dick, Sammy is the Mature One, and The Boys Are Really Back Together.

First, Dean levels a truly dark look at Sam when he mentions the apocalypse. Then Sam overhears Dean saying something about "we know who's fault that is, I'm sorry, but it's true." Sam of course thinks Dean's referring to him, but he could just as easily be talking about himself. Or both of them, as they are equally to blame. Then Sam says look, this isn't working, it wasn't working before, we need to be partners, not boss and baby brother. *cheers* It didn't even break my heart when he said he went with Ruby to get away from Dean--his frustration has been evident since the last few episodes of season 3, when he kept trying to assert his plans and ideas and Dean just kept cutting him off.

Finally, at the end, we get Dean admitting they were both at fault but neither knew it. He's sincere when he says "who would have ever thought killing Lilith would be a bad thing?" I'm pretty sure we saw Sam driving the Impala already this season (though I could be wrong), so the handing over of the keys didn't have the impact for me that it had for many other people. Still, it feels like we're finally where we were meant to be. I'm sure the boys will still have some struggles. Dean's not going to get over the habit of being "in charge" that easily, and Sam may have grown up, but his own habits are just as ingrained. It will be great fun to see how they manage this.

Which brings me to the most important point of discussion: SOON.

SPOILERS BASED ON PROMO SNIPPETS AND EPISODE TITLES



I won't list all the awesome things we saw in the extended promo, like Sam getting hit in the balls *pauses to wait for inevitable offers to nurse his injuries* on a Japanese game show, Dean's perfect 50s sitcom smile, the oh-so-sexy CSI sunglasses, the shock and horror of the half-demon baby and Castiel's intentions toward the child, the awesomeness of the upcoming guest stars (the demon-baby mom is from Eureka, the guy who wins years of his life from Dean in poker is most recently from Kyle XY)...and all that stuff.

The question is, WHY did we get a SOON? Number One (my oldest daughter) and I both cried "No!" when we saw it, and all the people I chat with after the show thought it meant hiatus. I mean, historically, that's when we get it. But also historically, they usually go 10 or 11 episodes before they start breaking it up with reruns.

Luckily, my DVR lists "I Believe the Children Are Our Future" as next Thursday's episode, as does IMDb. The other two eps on IMDb are "The Curious Case of Dean Winchester" and "Changing Channels," which certainly looked like the scenes we got in SOON, right? The Buddy TV recapper said it must have been a short episode, and it definitely was, so that explanation rests much easier with me than my friend's comment that we started earlier in the season than we normally do.

No matter what, "SOON" definitely got me excited for what's coming!

Okay, your turn! What important bits did I miss? Did you like or dislike this ep? Meh or yeah! ? Good break from the hard stuff, or a let-down? Comment away!

~~~~
Images all courtesy The CW

Sympathy for the Devil

“Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But what’s puzzling you
Is the nature of my game”

So goes the lyrics from Rolling Stone’s Sympathy for the Devil. In the Season 5 premiere of SPN we’re introduced to Satan (Mark Pellegrino) himself and the nature of his game is indeed a puzzle, but boy is it gonna be fun figuring it out.

Kripke penned this opener and it started exactly where we left off. Blinding light. Piercing noise. The boys can’t escape and drop to their knees in agony waiting for Lucifer’s arrival and then we see…

…Yosemite Sam. The boys are inexplicably on an airplane with the Looney Tune on TV and a cartoon beezlebub is asking him, “What the devil is your name?”

WTF?

The boys are just as confused as we are. On the ground the radio is delivering apocalyptic news on every channel and Sam keeps trying to apologize, but Dean cuts him off. In need of answers they head for Chuck’s. The prophet is shocked to see them alive seeing as his last vision showed Sammy going “full on Vader.” He tells them Castiel is dead. An arch-angel smoked the crap out of him and he “exploded like a water balloon of chunky soup.” Ew. Even more ew is the tooth the soothsayer finds in his hair.

“Cram it with walnuts, Ugly.” Dean

Then that abhorrent angel Zachariah shows up to get Dean. He tells them they’re all on the same side now and he wants Dean to kill the devil. Furthermore, they need to strike hard and fast before Lucifer finds a vessel. P.O.’d, Dean slaps Zach back on the Highway to Heaven.

Back at their hotel Dean asks Sam how he’s doing with his blood addiction. Surprisingly, whoever yanked their tushes outta trouble seems to have cleansed Sam too--supernatural sobriety. Once again, Sam tries to talk to Dean, but he’s not in the mood to listen. Instead he suggests they do what they always do and go hunting…for the devil.

Meanwhile, in Pike Creek, Delaware, we meet a despondent man named Nick who’s haunted by the loss of his wife, Sarah, and their baby boy. He thinks he’s having hallucinations, but Sarah tells him he’s special, chosen. You know, whenever, if ever, someone tells you that…run!

And, in the funniest part of the episode, we meet Becky, Supernatural super fan and giggly, blushy WinCest writer. In a totally surreal moment she gets a video call from the Carver Edlund. He’s being watched by angels and he wants her to deliver a message to the real Sam and Dean. She shows up on their motel doorstep drooling and giddy where she wastes no time in fondling Sam’s pecs and telling Dean “You’re not what I pictured.” She also tells them Carver’s newest prophecy. Michael’s sword is on Earth. The angels lost it and it’s at a castle on a hill made of 42 dogs. Well, now, that’s clear as mud isn’t it? So who do the Winchesters call when they need some research help? Bobby.

Bobby shows up and explains that Michael booted Lucifer to Earth with that sword and if they can get it they can send him back to Hell. Then Sam does what he’s been trying to do with Dean for days…he confesses his sins. And Bobby, dear, Bobby completely pulverizes him. “You’re damn right you didn’t listen. You were reckless and selfish and arrogant. You’re sorry you started Armageddon. This kind of thing don’t get forgiven, boy. And if by some miracle we pull this off, I want you to lose my number, you understand me?”

Gulp. The devastation on Sam’s face is crushing. He leaves ostensibly to go look for something, but probably to secretly cry, and Dean and Bobby do more research. Bobby is saying he never would’ve guessed their daddy was right about Sam. Save him or kill him. Sadly, Dean never says anything in his brother’s defense, but he does have an epiphany and digs through his dad’s stuff. His storage locker is at Castle Storage on 42 Rover Hill. Bingo! And then bam! Bobby goes all demon on Dean and starts beating him. Meg arrives in a new meat suit. She says Dean is the only bump in the road for the new world order and every demon is out to get him. She tells Bobby to stab him to death. Bobby fights his inner demon and stabs himself instead and Meg smokes out. The boys get their surrogate father to the ER and then try to beat the demons to the storage locker. Zach is waiting for them. He tells them Dean is actually Michael’s sword aka his vessel. That’s right, Zacariah wants Dean to willingly give up his body and mind to Michael.

“Life as an angel condom.” Dean

Dean refuses and Zacariah starts to torture him into saying yes – he breaks Sam’s legs, gives Dean stage 4 stomach cancer, steals Sam’s lungs. Dean tells him to just kill them and Zacariah says he’s just started the torture. Thankfully, a very put together Castiel shows up and kicks some angel ass. He then implies that God put Sam and Dean on that plane and spared his life. To protect the brothers he carves something into their ribs that will hide them from every angel in creation, including Lucifer.

Back in Pike Creek, Nick allows his “wife” to talk him into becoming Lucifer’s vessel so he can get revenge on God for allowing a stranger to butcher his family. Possession takes place.

Oblivious, a feisty Bobby gives his doctor hell when the MD dares to tell him he may not be able to walk again. In the ER the guys discuss what they should do about their little Satanic sitch. Bobby suggests they save as many as they can for as long as they can. Dean suggests they take on both sides and win back their planet.

“What I do have is a GED and a give ‘em hell attitude.” Dean

As the boys head out of the hospital Bobby tells Sam it was the demon talking to him that way not him. “I ain’t cutting you out, boy. Not ever.” Sniff sniff. Now that’s more like the Bobby we know and love.

The jam-packed episode ends in a dark parking lot with Dean finally letting loose. He tells Sam he said all that stuff in there for Bobby’s benefit, but he can’t pretend anymore that everything is alright. He also tells his little brother he can’t believe Sam chose a demon over him. Sammy completely let him down and he’s having a hard time forgiving and forgetting. When Sam asks what he can do to make things better Dean says, “Honestly, nothing. We can never be what we were. I just don’t think I can trust you.”

Gut-wrenching pain. It’s a devastating, but true moment. They might be fighting on the same side to save the world, but chances are their separate hearts will make it that much more difficult and probably weaken their efforts. However, I have every faith the wayward son will make amends and earn his way back into good graces.

Overall, I thought Kripke did a killer job on starting off Season 5. I’ll admit I balked a little at Sammy’s instant sobriety, but I can see that it would be a distraction from the real issues at hand. I’m looking forward to seeing the Harvelles next week and watching more emotional fallout among the brothers. How about you?

Back to the Future

WARNING: MILD SEASON 5 SPOILER

Okay, so a DeLorean won't replace the Metallicar anytime soon, but Eric Kripke has said we can expect a futuristic peek in Season 5. That's right, somehow, someway, Dean travels five years into the future--2014--to a post-apocalyptic world. And it ain't pretty.

“It’s our version of 28 DAYS LATER,” Kripke says. The world has been ravaged by war and the crotoan virus. If you don't remember, croatoan was introduced to us in Season 2, episode 9 when Sam and Dean discovered a town where the inhabitants were infected with a blood-borne demonic virus that drives its victims to violent extremes.

Hmm, Lucifer AND croatoan let loose. Yikes! Plus, wasn't 28 Day Later considered a zombie movie? I'm scared silly and immensely curious. Me thinks that Dean and Sam are probably not the same Winchesters we love so dearly.

Any predictions for what 5 years down the line looks like?

Supernatural News

We're going to be starting a new regular feature here on Supernatural Sisters, a compilation of the latest news (with links) about our favorite show, the actors, pretty much anything related to Supernatural. Though Friday isn't going to be our regular day, I thought I'd give you a taste of things to come. And if you all hear any juicy gossip, see any fabulous new images, etc., let one of us know.

Evidently, Paris Hilton is going to be appearing on a Supernatural episode this season. Wait, before you cry in agony, let it be known that it actually sounds like it'll be funny. She's playing a demonic creature that takes the form of...wait for it...Paris Hilton!

Still sad you weren't at Comic-Con this year? Well here's a little taste -- clips from the panel made up of Eric Kripke, Ben Edlund, Sera Gamble, Misha Collins and Jim Beaver. These are some funny talented people, and I was happy to hear Kripke say that this upcoming season will be the most optimistic yet, with the boys coming back together, though slowing and not without angst.

Kripke, Edlund and Gamble talk about Season 5 (and possibly beyond), and we get a glimpse of what's in store for Castiel this season in this article. Have I mentioned I love Castiel? And if you're not following Misha on Twitter, do. He's hysterical.

I looked up the latest IMDB (Internet Movie Database) listings for Jared and Jensen and found some interesting info on Jensen's page:

Jensen's page has two rumored roles -- as Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil: Afterlife and as Steve Rogers/Captain America in The First Avenger: Captain America. Wow, Jensen in tights? :)

The Opening of Season 5

A few weeks back, I announced a fan fiction contest here. Alas, we got zero entries. :( But I'm still curious how people think Season 5 will open. Part of me thinks it'll start just where Season 4 left off. That we'll see Lucifer actually rising. But how many of us could have predicted how Season 4 opened with Dean clawing his way out of a grave in the middle of nowhere. If we don't start this upcoming season in that same room with Lucifer rising, how do you think the first scene of the first episode will go? Will it be just after the rising? Will Dean be knocked out on the floor and Sam disappeared along with Lucifer? Will it be weeks later and the boys are on the road looking for Lucifer who somehow gave him the slip?

Only 37 days until we know for sure, but for now let's pretend we're Kripke. How would you start the next season? How likely do you think that's how it actually will start? Remember, the name of the episode is "Sympathy for the Devil."

Come on, peeps. Let's have a lot of ideas tossed out today. It'll be interesting to see who is closest to the actual.

Season 5 Episodes

I was supposed to do a recap of "Bloody Mary" today, but I've not had time what with the RWA conference last week and being under two deadlines at the moment. But I did notice that we're getting some episode titles for Season 5. Here's what IMDB is listing so far:

Season 5, Episode 1: "Sympathy for the Devil" set to air Sept. 10 (Only 50 days away!), written by Eric Kripke

Hmm, interesting title. Who is sympathetic toward the Devil? I can't imagine it would be the Winchester boys, but I could be wrong. Perhaps just Sam? The cause of more friction between Sam and Dean?

Season 5, Episode 2: "Good God, Y'All" set to air Sept. 17, written by Sera Gamble

Have to say I love this episode title since I'm from the South. Interesting that we have the Devil mentioned in the first episode and then God in the second. Part of me thinks they wouldn't cast anyone in the God role, but who knows?

Season 5, Episode 3: "Good to Be You and Me" set to air Sept. 24, written by Jeremy Carver

On first glance, this seems like it might be a brothers-focused episode. Maybe this is when they start healing the rift between them? Maybe they go up against something that causes them to realize they really are on the same thing and that it's good to be them instead of whatever they're facing or people in worse situations.

In casting news, I saw where the role of the archangel Raphael -- a mechanic who is possessed by one of the most powerful beings in the universe -- is being added as a recurring role.

Classic Episode Review: "Pilot"

The pilot of Supernatural was as close to perfect as a pilot can get. The very nature of the beast is difficult: You're executing an idea with a low budget and a cast that just met and doesn't have a groove yet, plus you're operating under the pressure of knowing this is your one shot to get it right. Most pilots don't get turned into TV shows.

A good pilot:

1. Introduces characters we can identify with in some way.

Sam and Dean are brothers who have been on the outs. They spend most of the pilot episode arguing. But there's an underlying core of affection and connection. I was completely sold near the beginning, when someone snuck into Sam's apartment and they fought in silhouette. That one sequence summed up their entire relationship: sometimes contentious, evenly matched, with one on top, then the other. Dean was the teacher and protector, while Sam was the student who'd at least reached his master's level.

2. Has a complete episode arc that tells exactly what the series will be.

The "Woman in White" urban legend tells us everything we can expect from a typical Supernatural episode. The creepy image stuttering and cinematography tell us it will be scary (as does, of course, the death scenes!). The pathos of the ghost's backstory tells us this isn't like a crime show that focuses on facts and clues but not so much on people and character. The ghost's motivation is sad, and I even felt pity for the husband who started the whole long chain of events.

We get humor ("Bitch." "Jerk." and "Is anything real about you, boy?" "My boobs.") and fake rock IDs and action and mystery.

3. Asks story questions that make us want to tune in next week, and the week after, and...

Not all good shows have a major story arc, but most do. If they don't, viewers know right away that the show will get stale and repetitive, and that can make us decide not to bother investing time and care into watching now.

But Supernatural easily avoided that fate. First, there's the catalyst that launches the events: Dad's on a job, and he hasn't been home in a while. Where is he? What will the boys find when they catch up with him? Then the neatly bookended mystery--whatever killed Mom has now killed Jessica, and the reluctant hero accepts the call to adventure. We've got to know what it was, and why it did it.

There's a danger in setting up a long-term mystery, too, because if it drags on too long without answers, viewers will also get bored and tune out. But at the start, we're full of anticipation and curiosity and we'll eagerly sign up for the ride.

4. Just enough backstory, but not too much.

All fiction has this balance to maintain, and it's always a struggle. We know Sam and his father have a contentious relationship. We know they had a very unconventional upbringing, that the brothers are closer than most because of it, despite their current rift, and that their mother's death drives everything they do, every choice they make. We know these things from several short lines and one powerful prologue, but the emphasis of the show is on the future. There isn't a chance to get bored.

What else did this pilot have? Obviously, two very attractive young men who are going to be the centerpiece of the show. A definite tone that's set in the colors, the lighting, the set dressing, the broad cinematography, even the shot angles. Hints at the depths they could plumb: Sam left the hunting life a long time ago, professes to hate it, but he has a wickedly curved knife all ready to pack. Dad had a journal full of notes on things he'd hunted, and a system of communication the boys can follow with little guidance.

Like anything, the episode wasn't perfect. How did Dean get to the farmhouse from the police station? And later, why did he return to Sam's apartment? His timing is just a little too coincidental. Of course, a deleted scene on the DVD shows him driving away and changing his mind, one quick shot showing us that he's not accepting Sam's decision as he turns the car around. But we didn't get that originally. Still, those small errors or oversights aren't enough to override all the good in this pilot. It made me really happy that I was a late starter and could watch as many episodes in a row as I wanted!



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Your turn! Post your favorite lines or details from the pilot, or tell us what your first impression of this episode was. Did it hook you right away, or grow on you? Did you see the pilot first, or start watching on TV later in the show's run, and go back?

Screencaps from Supernatural Fan Wiki and Supernatural Caps.

Things That Would be Worse Than Bad Supernatural

A little while ago, we talked a little bit about the possibility of a season six without Eric Kripke. Many people would rather have no SPN than bad SPN, but I thought there are some things that could be worse:

1. Jared and Jensen in other jobs…that film in Vancouver.

2. Jared on a show like According to Jim.

3. Jensen on a generic crime drama.

4. J&J never get another real gig, just spend all their time traveling around to Supernatural conventions, becoming a better-looking but even more pathetic version of the Galaxy Quest crew.

5. Jensen joins Star Trek. I couldn't imagine Jensen in that world. Then I pictured him in uniform. At attention. And...um...yeah, never mind.

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Okay, so...I'm not very good at this. That was all I could come up with.

So then I thought, well, I'm in the minority, but I'd be okay with Kripke-less writers and half-hearted stars. I don't think the show would stray too far from what makes it so compelling for me. But what would make the show too horrible to watch?

1. They replace Sam and Dean.

2. They bring back Bela (that's a bone for the Bela-haters--I liked her).

3. The boys decide they're tired of traveling, sell the Impala, and settle down with the 90210 kids.

4. To nail ghosts in a daycare center, they pose as teachers. ... Wait, that could be funny.

5. They do an episode where the "fight" is cringing in an attic spraying fire at bees while the fastest night in history passes.

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The thing is...

First, we don't get to say "stop now, the show's on top, it can't possibly be as good next year." So that leaves us to either watch it or not. Secondly, we can't know what a season six would be like. What if Sera Gamble gets promoted to showrunner? Doesn't she do much of that already? She oversees the writing and seems to be of like mind with Kripke.

I personally can't cut off my nose to spite my face and say I wouldn't watch it, at least to find out how they do.

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Now it's your turn. Tell us what you think:

a. would be worse than bad SPN

and

b. would render SPN too bad to watch.

Supernatural: Rising Son

In my previous review of Supernatural: Origin, the graphic novel that tells John’s story of becoming a hunter after Mary’s death, I talked about liking the story, but not the art. This follow up, Rising Son, is just the opposite.

As for the tale…Chapter 1 begins Christmas Eve of 1990. John’s lost his job and been evicted from their hotel. If that’s not bad enough, the letter he mailed to Mary’s cousin, Eddie, comes back “return to sender.” Ever since his wife died, Mary’s friends, family and co-workers have been disappearing. But Eddie’s always stayed on John’s grid until now. Concerned, John and the boys hit the road and take a detour down Old Route 25 where John arrives in sex city. The small town is populated by stunning women who are all too happy to give him their undivided attention. Eddie’s there and warns John to get out, but he’s nearly seduced by a succubus. When he fights back the Succubi turn into his dead wife and poor John ends up slaughtering a bar full of Mary’s. Eddie is murdered before John can rescue him. The Winchesters takes off, while a mysterious woman follows John’s trail looking for Sammy.

Chapter 2 hits on stuff we learned from John Winchester’s Journal. John decides maybe it’s best to settle down for awhile, give the boys some normalcy. Sam makes friends right away and gets a lot of attention from his pretty teacher, Ms. Lyle. Dean, on the other hand, is lonely and miserable. When Ms. Lyle turns her attention to John they start to look like a real family. Then Ms. Lyle ends up taking Sammy to a science fair, but a suspicious Dean warns his dad there’s something wrong with her. He’s right. John’s been sleeping with a demon and she’s actually brought Sammy to the crossroads to take him into another dimension. John battles her and a transformer made from railroad parts. This rail-robot seems very out of place in a SPN story, but it’s kicking John’s bootay.

Chapter 3 has Dean exorcising the demons and the boys running to Bobby’s. Bobby tells John to visit Silas, a blind seer, who may be able to tell him why Sammy is special. John’s visit rouses Silas from a coma he’s been in since the date of Mary’s death. He confirms that Sam is special, but doesn’t say why, only that John and Dean need to be prepared. Taking his advice to heart, John takes Dean on a deer hunt to sharpen his skills, but the twelve year old is scared and unsure. In the end, Sammy sneaks away from Bobby’s and makes the kill. When John asks how Sammy got there he said some guy in a black car dropped him off. Shaken, John leaves Sammy with Silas so he can, hopefully, learn more about what makes him different. While they have their private confab, he and Dean go out for burgers and John explains to his eldest son how much he needs him and trusts him. On their way back to Sammy, they see the mysterious black car. That doesn’t bode well. Sure enough, Silas is dead. The words KILL HIM are painted in blood on his kitchen wall.

Chapter 4 reveals that the driver of the black car is an albino hunter named Anderson, who not only believes Sam killed Silas, but that he’s evil and “destined to raise an army of darkness against the world.” In the end, Dean ends up shooting Anderson and Sam tells his dad “you need to kill me.” The chapter ends with John taking Sam up on a hill to watch the sun come up, for just a minute we’re led to believe he’s considering shooting his son, but, of course, he doesn’t.

In Chapter 5, John brutally hunts down Anderson’s cohorts and then holes up in Daleville, Mississippi with the boys. He plans to stand and fight anyone else who comes for Sam. It doesn’t take long before they’re surrounded, but this time it’s not hunters. It’s demons. The Winchesters manage to escape with a poorly executed plan and they learn Ms. Lyle is really called Lilith. John then dumps a very pissed off Dean and still clueless Sam at his friend’s house. The boys are stuck with Pam, while dear old dad goes off to find Lilith. If only John had realized his friend, is actually a demon. (sigh)

In Chapter 6 we find more sexuality and stupidity. Pam lets Ms. Lyle into the house. Looking like porn star, she’s there to reclaim Sam. Dean tells his little brother to run while he fights off Lilith, who kisses Dean after he calls her a bitch.(Ew, ew, ew!) Fortunately, John shows up in the nick of time. Dean sets fire to Lilith and Dad chops off her head. Black smoke whirls away and the Winchesters are safe.

The story ends with a grown up Dean showing up at Stanford to find his little brother.

Okay, while I thoroughly enjoyed Diego Olmos’s artwork, I found myself annoyed with the story. Sure, it was cool to see how Dean came to be the hunter he is, and I loved the introduction to Bobby (whose cartoonization had the strongest resemblance to the actor), but the majority of the time I had this thought in my head: John Winchester is too stupid to live. Perhaps his brain was fogged by all the sexual undertones in the story, but I wanted to smack him for all his stupid mistakes. Granted, he’s a newbie, but I didn’t think it was in character for him to repeatedly be an idjit. That said, the best part of this graphic novel came in the last four pages where Kripke himself made his comic debut by co-writing The Beast with Two Backs, a hilarious GhostFacers bonus story that pokes fun at Sam and Dean.