'Supernatural' is in my top 5 TV series

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I maintain a solidified belief that rediscovery leads a person to the warm embrace of nostalgia. Recently, during these last few days, memories of my father and I began swirling within my mind. Sharing similar tastes in cinema, television series, comic books and novelizations inspired this approach in focusing on this special series.

One afternoon I remember my father watching television when he asked me, "Isaiah, have you heard of the show 'Supernatural'?" His question had me wondering if it was a documentary series discussing various supernatural entities or ghost hunting. He said, "Remember how we watched 'Angel'? 'Supernatural' is like 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Angel.' It is about these two sibling hunters traveling across the country battling vampires, demons, werewolves and ghosts."

Suffice to say curiosity about the series itself won in the end. I ended up purchasing the first five seasons of "Supernatural." While it does share similarities with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Angel" and even "X-Files," there were still elements of the show stylistically and thematically different from the series that came before. Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki portray sibling hunters Dean and Sam Winchester. Initially the brothers become estranged after Sam leaves the legacy of Winchester hunting to attend college and lead his own life. The planned life he was living changes abruptly when his older brother Dean appears after years of estrangement and non-communication, informing him of their father being missing while on a mysterious trip.

Sam and Dean Winchester begin a journey taking them across the country and abroad using a journal their father left behind detailing mythological creatures, urban legends, demons, ghosts, along with how to combat the various threats they will engage.

Episodes in the first three seasons follow a formula of both Sam and Dean hunting monsters of the week. Usually, one episode will focus on the brothers battling a ghost, the next werewolves, and another will hinge on the mythology of the Wendigo creature and vampires. What separates this series from the standard stories of similar concepts is the flawed elements of both Sam and Dean Winchester. Neither is superhuman in strength or speed, and while they are well versed in combat, both have the tendency to experience certain levels of failures, physical and emotional wounds and often question whether the Winchester legacy is worth continuing.

What I found vastly impressive about the series is the acting and chemistry between Ackles and Padalecki. These two young actors have a close friendship away from the series, lending to the relationship translating beautifully on the show. Ackles portrays Dean, the protective, impulsive and often careless older brother always prepared to run into battle with little to no hesitation. He is far more outspoken, harsher and enthusiastic about hunting compared to Sam, which often puts them at odds with each other. Sam, on the other hand, carries himself as the more reserved, logical and compassionate hunter, tending to question specific approaches before engagement.

One of the fascinating elements of "Supernatural" is how the series touches every conceptual genre with each season. Admittedly, the first three seasons explore more of the horror genre with its darker story lines and the threats they face. It is not until the end of the third and into the fourth seasons that the series deviates from the standard monster-of-the-week themes. Gradually, new characters in the form of angels, demons, exploring the divine and eternal darkness take center stage.

Eventually the brothers find themselves standing in the path of facing an apocalypse unlike anything they have encountered, whether it is the appearance of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Archangels Michael, Lucifer, Gabriel and Raphael, God, leviathans, purgatory and Crossroad demons. Sam and Dean in the end must always rely on their wits, inner strength and trust as brothers to overcome the continuous battle between good and evil.

An impressive trait the show manages to exhibit with surprisingly seamless ease is its ability to transition into various genres without the deviation feeling out of place. Ackles' and Padalecki's natural comedic timing has created memorable hysterical moments throughout its 15 seasons. Whether the episode is strictly comedic, dramatic, depressing, suspenseful or horrifying, audiences find themselves treated to innovative and creative story lines, which kept "Supernatural" fresh and interesting. Writers of the series were not afraid of channeling deep emotional moments intended to pull at the heart and soul in saddening fashion.

One specifically that still moves me to this very day is titled "Heart," focusing on the powerful emotions of Sam. The powerful, authentic acting of Ackles and Padalecki highlights the emotional story. Showrunner Eric Kripke originally envisioned "Supernatural" ending with the fifth season. Thankfully, the series continued for 10 more years with it coming to its conclusion with the 15th season.

My recent rediscovery of "Supernatural" brought about sincere nostalgia and my appreciation for quality television. It is a series offering absolute escapism in exciting, dark and apocalyptic ways. Whenever a friend or someone on Facebook asks, "What show should I watch?" My response always includes "Supernatural" along with other options. It is on my top five favorite series of all time.

I recommend joining Sam and Dean Winchester along with Castiel, their mentor and fellow hunter Bobby Singer on a journey paved with horror, comedy, drama, suspense, joyfulness and sadness, all of which include ghosts, mythological creatures, vampires, demons, werewolves, angels and human enemies bent on preventing the brothers from protecting the world from evil. Overall, it is an entertaining, heartfelt and impactful 10/10 journey that is wonderfully fulfilling.

To watch Isaiah Ridley's movie reviews online, find him @Izzy's Cinematic Escape on YouTube.


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