I always set my hopes way too high when I see a show I like. Generally, I’m disappointed when the show eventually gets cancelled but never surprised. Most good shows don’t last. Thankfully however, most doesn’t mean all. When I first watched the Winchester brothers chasing things that go bump in the night almost ten years ago, I was pretty certain I’d enjoy the 10 or so episodes that would actually air. I did, and against all odds, and am still enjoying it as it enters its tenth season.
“Supernatural” has come a long way from the days of chasing the spirits and monsters at the heart of the Urban Legends that so many believe in. In the first seasons, Dean (Jensen Ackles) & Sam (Jared Padalecki) roamed the country, fighting all manner of beasties including “Bloody Mary”, wendigos, and hook men. In between the battles, they spent their time searching for their father who was also a monster hunter.
Over time, the series expanded its mythos and sent the Winchester brothers against the actual demons who were behind it all, then upped the game even more by pitting them against everyone from archangels to Lucifer himself. The boys have quite literally been “to Hell and back.”
The 9th season of “Supernatural” continues to raise the bar as the boys (and the world itself) are reeling from the ongoing war between heaven and hell, which has now come to the point that the gates to heaven are now… locked. Angels are roaming the earth, unable to return home. They are frustrated… and angry.
The Blu-ray release of the recent season contains (of course) all of the episodes, delivered in a crisp and clean 1080p, which delivers the special effects sequences with mind blowing clarity. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 offers a fully immersive audio experience on even lesser surround sound systems.
Additionally, there are some terrific special features including several featurettes on the Men of Letters (a group long dedicated to the eradication of evil), some awesome set tours, commentaries, a close look at the themes of the 9th season, a Comic-Con Panel from 2013, a gag reel, and a hysterical mockumentary that goes ‘behind the scenes’ of “Supernatural. This final feature is hosted by fan favorite Misha Collins, who plays Castiel.
“Supernatural” has beaten the odds by lasting far longer than most series that fall within the horror genre. Spawning conventions, huge numbers of fans, an anime version, comics, etc…, the series is showing no signs of wearing down and I have to give kudos to Warner Brothers for delivering the highest quality DVD and Blu-ray sets to its fans.
Episodes:
I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here
Devil May Care
I’m No Angel
Slumber Party
Dog Dean Afternoon
Heaven Can’t Wait
Bad Boys
Rock and a Hard Place
Holy Terror
Road Trip
First Born
Sharp Teeth
The Purge
Captives
#THINMAN
Blade Runners
Mother’s Little Helper
Meta Fiction
Alex Annie Alexis Ann
Bloodlines
King of the Damned
Stairway to Heaven
Do You Believe in Miracles?
Starring: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Mark Shepard
Extras: The Men of Letters Interactive Set Experience; Men of Letters: The Winchester Legacy; Designing the Men of Letters; Supernatural – Bound by Blood: Decisions and; Crow’s Nest Tour; Library Tour; Lab Tour; Galley Tour; Dorms Tour; Room 7B Tour; 2013 Comic-Con Panel ; Audio Commentary – “Blade Runners” – With actor Mark Sheppard and writing team Eugenie Ross-Leming & Brad Buckner; Audio Commentary – “Mother’s Little Helper” – Writer/EP Adam Glass and Director/actor Misha Collins provide commentary on his directorial debut; Audio Commentary – “Bloodlines” – EP Jeremy Carver, Director/EP Robert Singer, and Writer/EP Andrew Dabb provide commentary on the backdoor pilot Supernatural: Bloodlines; Behind the Scenes of Supernatural: A Fan’s Perspective – Mockumentary hosted by Misha Collins going behind the scenes on the set of Supernatural; Deleted Scenes; Gag Reel
Video: MPEG-4 AVC; 180p; Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: 9/9/2014
Website: http://www.cwtv.com/shows/supernatural
