Sam and Dean Winchester know quite a bit about Hell, Purgatory, demons and all manner of ghouls. In Season 4, they will finally meet angels, but are these creatures what we have always supposed angels to be?
Beginning the season with Dean (Jensen Ackles) awakening or returning to life in his own grave gives Season 4 a boost towards the nightmarish and deep seated fear element that every human possesses. From the opening scenes to the finale of the season, this is a rollercoaster of a story, with non-stop thrills and multi-level terrors.
One should not be too surprised by this, as the series has always gone a step beyond simple horror story fare. It would be easy to fall into a formula type for the episodes, but Supernatural has always taken a deeper and more complex look at everything from urban myths to the ancient legends that are part of society’s fabric.
We see the blood and ugliness associated with the demonic, but deeper than that is the reason behind all the carnage. The action often reveals the monsters that live within, hidden from view as the scary type that look like everyday people. There is still much for the brother team to learn.
Supernatural, always a dark show, becomes even more opaque and ominous in Season 4. The lighter moments exist, but the laughter is often wry and doesn’t last very long. Sam (Jared Padalecki) is using his strange powers, for the good he believes, but then what is the good?
There are as Bobby says “a pile of questions and no shovel” in their lives as they try to sort out motives and actions. Why is Dean back? Who pulled him back? And what is expected of him to make his survival so important as to bridge death and Hell?
Supernatural remains intriguing and entertaining, giving viewers much to ponder in terms of the philosophical analysis of the nature of good and evil.
The look of the show mirrors the darkness of the stories by using a muted palette in costumes and set designs. Shadows are as effective as the somber colors in creating an unsettling atmosphere, causing the viewer to anticipate anything and everything to be at the least rather creepy but more likely terrifying.
There are elements of brutality in some episodes that are difficult to watch, and seem a bit over-the-top, but then one realizes this is supposed to be evil and we are supposed to feel put off by it.
In Supernatural, there is no comfort other than the relationship between Sam and Dean, and the fact that they are trying to do the right thing, and to fight on the side of good. Other than that, there is no certainty, and often the lines are blurred.
Supernatural Season Four is presented on six discs containing all 22 episodes, plus a variety of interesting special features. The total running time for the episodes is 945 minutes, and they are shown in a widescreen matted format.
The special features include a three section featurette “The Mythologies of Supernatural: From Heaven to Hell” in which the myths and legends that are crucial to the series are examined, commentary on three selected episodes by the series creator, extended unaired scenes, and a gag reel. Given the serious nature of the series, the gag reel is something to see!
Supernatural: The Complete Fourth Season is now available at Amazon . It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a Nov. 2nd release. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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