Supernatural is a show that – much like many of the creatures, ghosts and ghouls that populate its universe – just refuses to die.
Originally planned by creator Eric Kripke to last for just three seasons, Supernatural’s popularity led him to expand it to five. And as the fifth series finished, with the show’s main storyline more-or-less wrapped up and with Kripke stepping down as show-runner, it seemed a natural time to end the show.
Except… the ratings were still going strong – increasing, even! – and its popularity as one of the premier cult shows on TV was still high. So rather than let the Winchester boys enjoy a quiet retirement, Kripke handed showrunner duties over to long-time producer Sera Gamble to guide the show through an unlikely sixth run.
Even more unlikely, the show had to find some way to top the previous year’s story arc – which involved nothing less than the apocalypse! – and it’s that which the three discs of this half-season boxset release get rolling.
Last year’s apocalypse storyline – while undeniably exciting – ultimately proved to be too ambitious at times, as the budget constraints and limitations of the small-screen began to tell and sometimes left the apocalypse feeling a little… well, anti-climactic.
Wisely, then, Season 6 sees the show returning to a somewhat smaller scale, with plenty of focus on the micro – the brothers increasingly strained relationship with each other – balanced ably by a more achievable macro in the power-grab taking place in heaven and hell, as angels and demons alike try to fill the positions left by Lucifer and Michael.
It’s hardly a spoiler to say that Sam doesn’t spend too long stranded in Hell (there was even a shot of him freed at the end of last season!), but he’s a changed man upon his return, and it gives Jared Padalecki some brilliant material to play. He’s fantastic, playing this new Sam with a much harder and colder edge. He’s still the man we know at first glance, but Padelecki infuses something darker underneath. It’s very well played, and the subtlety of the performance only makes it more disturbing.
In regards to the rest of the cast, Misha Collins is given a lighter load as Castiel, who is busy fighting a civil war in heaven, while there’s a new addition in guise of the Winchester’s uncle Samuel (The X Files stalwart Mitch Pileggi), who has also found himself mysteriously resurrected and takes to hunting.
And, of course, there’s ever Jim Beaver, always enjoying his role as grizzled supernatural vet, Bobby Singer. Bobby gets his own spotlight episode, a day-in-the-life story, which involves himself, old hunter-pal Rufus and new King of Hell Crowley going at each other in a grumpy, bickering head-to-head that will likely leave you wishing for a “two men and a demon” spin-off. The episode is the definite highlight, and is also (coincidently?) the directorial debut of Jensen Ackles – our very own Dean Winchester!
These 11 episodes prove to be a strong opening to the season. Mark Sheppard’s Crowley makes for a hugely entertaining and engaging baddie, while Padalecki and Ackles continue to prove that they’ve grown into two of the best actors on television, adept at both the drama and the comedy that a show like Supernatural allows them to explore and able to switch between both with consummate ease.
Supernatural may have already lived longer than expected, but it shows no sign of giving up the ghost just yet.
Extras: Aside from a commentary on one episode by executive producers Robert Singer and Gamble, the only extra of note is a really nice documentary charting Ackles’ first foray into direction. It’s a fascinating insight into how much work goes into directing one episode and features the cast and crew – and Jensen himself – talking quite frankly about the experience. Given the quality of the final product, he should certainly consider doing more!
Released on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday 29th August 2011 by Warner Home Video.