Road trips across ‘Supernatural’ America

(Published Aug. 25, PDI-Entertainment)

‘Supernatural’: Snappy banter and drama

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

Two brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester (Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki), hunt down mystical menaces across the United States in the successful horror-action series “Supernatural.” They travel in a 1967 Chevy Impala, their covert missions bringing them to the country’s most disruptive haunted spots.

Trained since childhood to deal with spectral antagonists and mythical beings, Dean and Sam protect or rescue involved civilians, and sometimes uncover truths about their deceased parents along the way.

Like the better “X-Files” episodes, the show has self-contained stories. These are the more straightforward ones, where the protagonists mainly work on a case and confront the monster of the week. And like other good fantasy shows, “Supernatural” has season-long arcs that culminate in big turning points, often nail-biting cliffhangers.

The friction and oft-unspoken support between the siblings allow for snappy banter and drama, constantly revealing contrasting personalities. While Dean has a more gung-ho approach to things, Sam is more analytical and is a patient researcher.

But both have learned the art of subterfuge; when investigating, they disguise themselves as FBI agents (or priests, etc.) with clever aliases, sometimes borrowing names from rock musicians. The Winchester brothers’ dedication to the family enterprise rarely falters, although it’s still interesting whenever one of them feels uncertain about the job.

The series, however, has only a few portrayals of strong women characters. There aren’t regular female cast members, but there are recurring guests. The heroic women allies or love interests end up as hostages, or get maimed, if not killed.

But it’s not without formidable females who appear in multiple episodes. There’s the arch-villain Lilith (whose human avatars are little girls), Bela (a thief of magical artifacts), and Ruby (a demoness with a secret agenda). By the fourth season, a powerful, heroic female character--one that doesn’t end up a victim--is introduced, somewhat breaking the pattern.

A viewing of previous “Supernatural” seasons is necessary to appreciate the bigger tapestry, but the modular stories are mostly comprehensible and entertaining enough. It doesn’t go the “Buffy” route with its monster menagerie; “Supernatural” utilizes the use of subdued prosthetics and special effects, making its threats creepier and more enigmatic. Even when the show sticks to its weekly formula of horror-hunting, the main characters are gradually developed, and their repartee and bouts with doubt are as absorbing as their unpredictable quests.

“Supernatural” airs Saturdays, 8 p.m. on Studio 23, and Fridays, 9 p.m. on AXN Beyond.